PlainTextClipboard
Instantly convert formatted text to plain text on your Windows clipboard
Overview
PlainTextClipboard is a simple utility that runs in your system tray and converts any rich (formatted) text on the clipboard to plain (unformatted) text with a single keyboard shortcut.
This is useful for those situations where you want to paste text and have it formatted like the text where you are pasting instead of keeping the original formatting.
To use PlainTextClipboard, simply copy some formatted text from any application (web browser, Word processor, email client, etc.), then press Ctrl+Alt+T.
Some applications provide an alternative paste command that lets you treat any pasted text as unformatted. For example, the Thunderbird mail client provides a Paste Without Formatting menu command. Microsoft Word provides a Paste Special menu command that brings up a list of options, one of which is to treat the pasted text as Unformatted Text. However, even when using applications that do provide such commands, it is almost always quicker to just press Ctrl+Alt+T to convert the text and then use the normal paste command.
Key Features
One-Click Conversion
Instantly converts formatted text to plain text with a simple keyboard shortcut.
Global Keyboard Shortcut
Press Ctrl+Alt+T from any application - the hotkey works system-wide with instant response.
System Tray Integration
Runs quietly in your system tray, always ready when you need it.
Visual Confirmation
A brief toast notification confirms when your clipboard has been converted.
Universal Compatibility
Works with any Windows application that uses the clipboard for text.
Lightweight & Fast
Tiny utility that uses minimal system resources and responds instantly.
How It Works
Always Ready in Your System Tray
PlainTextClipboard runs quietly in your system tray (the notification area near the clock). Once running, simply press Ctrl+Alt+T at any time to convert formatted clipboard text to plain text.
A brief toast notification will appear to confirm the conversion, then automatically disappear after a couple of seconds. You can then paste your plain text using the normal Ctrl+V command.
Copy
Copy formatted text from anywhere (web, Word, email, etc.)
Convert
Press Ctrl+Alt+T to strip formatting
Paste
Use normal paste (Ctrl+V) to insert plain text
System Tray Features
Global Keyboard Shortcut
Press Ctrl + Alt + T from any application to instantly convert your clipboard. The hotkey is registered system-wide for instant response.
Right-Click Menu
Right-click the PlainTextClipboard icon in your system tray to access additional options: convert the clipboard manually, view the About dialog, or exit the application.
Start with Windows
During installation, you can choose to have PlainTextClipboard start automatically when you log in to Windows. This ensures the hotkey is always available whenever you need it.
Programmable Keyboards
If you have a keyboard with programmable keys, you can configure one of them to run PlainTextClipboard directly.
When run without the system tray (i.e., without the --tray option),
PlainTextClipboard will convert the clipboard, show a brief notification, and exit.
This gives you a dedicated physical key for clipboard conversion, which can be even faster than using the keyboard shortcut.
Perfect For
Document Editing
Copy text from websites or PDFs into Word documents without messy formatting
Email Composition
Paste content into emails without bringing unwanted fonts and colors
Code & Technical Writing
Clean up code snippets or technical content from various sources
Note Taking
Capture web content into note-taking apps with consistent formatting