To paste text without formatting, the common and widely supported keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + V on Windows or Cmd + Shift + V on Mac. This shortcut pastes the text stripped of its original formatting, making it match the formatting of the destination document or field. Alternatively, many applications provide a "Paste Special" or "Paste without formatting" option in their Edit or right-click context menu where you can select "Text only" or "Plain text."

How to paste without formatting in common scenarios:

• In Microsoft Word (Windows):
  • Press Ctrl + V to paste.
  • Immediately press Ctrl to open the paste options and then press T to keep text only.
  • Or assign Ctrl + Shift + V as a custom shortcut for "Paste Text Only" via File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts.

• In browsers and many other apps:
  • Use Ctrl + Shift + V (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + V (Mac).
• Using Paste Special:
  • In some apps like SoftMaker or Word (classic), use Alt + Shift + V or find "Paste Special" in the Edit menu and choose Unformatted text.

• If no keyboard shortcut exists:
  • Paste into a plain text editor like Notepad first to remove formatting, then copy and paste again.

This method works across many platforms and applications, including browsers, word processors, and email clients, ensuring you paste plain, unformatted text for consistency and clean appearance. If needed, some specialized tools or web apps can also convert copied text in the clipboard to plain text for pasting without formatting.

In summary, to paste without formatting:

• On Windows: Ctrl + Shift + V often works.
• On Mac: Cmd + Shift + V.
• Use paste options or paste special if available.
• Set custom shortcuts if the default doesn’t exist or conflicts.
• Use intermediate plain text editors as a fallback.

This gives a flexible and reliable way to paste text without inheriting unwanted style or formatting from the source.