How to use the "Paste Options" button in Word to paste data from Excel (284751)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q284751

SUMMARY

This article explains how to use the Paste Options button to paste data from Excel.

MORE INFORMATION

The Paste Options button appears as a square with a picture of a clipboard. There is an arrow on the right side.

The Paste Options button enables you to decide whether you want to paste your data as you originally copied it, or change the style so that it fits the style of the document into which you are pasting the data, or apply specific characteristics to the data based on the content.

To paste data from Excel, follow the steps in the following example:
  1. Copy a table from Excel and paste it into a Word document.

    A Paste Options button appears.
  2. Click the button, and then select the option that you want for your pasted information.

Options for Pasting Data from Excel

When you are pasting data from Microsoft Excel in Microsoft Word, you may want the Excel data to match the Word document. You may also want the data linked to Excel.

When data is pasted from Excel, the Paste Options button offers the following options:
  • Keep Source Formatting
  • Match Destination Table Styles
  • Keep Text Only
  • Keep Source Formatting and Link to Excel
  • Match Destination Table Styles and Link to Excel
  • Apply Style or Formatting
Below are explanations of the options on the Paste Options button.

Keep Source Formatting

This is the default option.
  • If you are pasting a single cell, the table formatting is discarded and only the text is pasted.
  • If you are pasting multiple cells, the left and right cell margins are set to .08. The current font used in Word at time of the paste operation is applied.

Match Destination Table Styles

  • If you are pasting a single cell, the formatting is cleared and the destination formatting is applied.
  • If you are pasting multiple cells, the formatting is cleared and the default table style is applied.

Keep Text Only

Office pastes the data as unformatted text (tab-delimited text).

Keep Source Formatting and Link to Excel

This is the same behavior as Keep Source Formatting, but the data is pasted as a link.

Match Destination Table Styles and Link to Excel

This is the same behavior as Match Destination Table Styles, but the data is pasted as a link.

Apply Style or Formatting

The Styles and Formatting task pane is displayed so additional formatting can be applied.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/25/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB284751
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