I have always used this simple solution... I keep a txt file on my desktop called scrappaper.txt (along with scrappaper.xls, scrappaper.doc). Pasting formatted text into notepad (and many other text editors) loses formatting.

I open scrappaper.txt, paste the formatted text into notepad (or other text editor) and then CTRL+A -> CTRL+C to copy as unformatted text... I then close notepad. I find that this is very quick (especially if done from the keyboard and not the mouse) , however, if I had to do this more than a couple of times a day I too would find a similar utility quite useful...

Of course, that is only if the target application doesn't have 'Paste Special' -> 'Unformatted Text'. Some apps, like MS Office, have this feature.

By the way, Wayne's blog is not hosted on this site. He may never see these comments...

I have added a comment with a link back here against the original post

Antony Marcano

I deal with this problem all of the time. At one point I created a simple Word macro to strip formatting from text.

Christopher
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/