Paste without changing format

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Level 1

8 points

Paste without changing format

I am writing a document with several equations, and I often need to use them in different places. To make them more legible, these equations have formatting such as italics, superscript, subscript, and colors.

When I attempt to copy and paste a formula into a new location, the document alters the current text style to match the formatting of the equation. So, for example, if I am writing a sentence in size 13 black text and paste the formula ending with a pink x^2 and continue typing, the remaining text in the sentence will be pink and superscript.

This is not what I want. I want to be able to paste something, without having to change the style back manually.

To be clear, I am aware of the feature to paste without formatting (Option+Command+Shift+V). I am also aware of the ability to copy and paste format only (Option + Command + C/V). This is NOT what I am asking for. I am asking to be able to type in format A, paste the words and format of B, then immediately resume typing in A without "picking up" B's formatting.

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 11, 2020 3:54 PM

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Answer 1

Barry

Level 9

60,023 points

Jul 11, 2020 4:41 PM in response to KlintonP

When you change format at the end of the type (as you are doing by pasting that formula at the current end of type, the last-set format ( the pink x^2) becomes the 'current format, and applies to all following text until you change it.

You have (at least) two options:

Stop typing where the formula is to be pasted, paste the formula, reset the format to the previous style, continue typing.

OR

Type two spaces after the last word prior to the formula, tap the left arrow once to move the insertion point between the two spaces, paste the formula, tap the right arrow to move the insertion point past the second space, continue typing.

Here's a sample of the second procedure. Line 1 shows the position of the insertion point. where the paste will place the formula.

Line 2 shows the result after paste, moving the insertion point past the second space (which still carries the 'regular' format information), then typing the rest of the sentence.

One issue with that method: The formula, as copied was typed in Arial, but the pasted text, while retaining the colour settings, adopted the Times font of the 'current format'.

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,176 points

Jul 11, 2020 7:35 PM in response to KlintonP

Using the equation editor and color commands available to the blahtex translator, you can do the following without ever being concerned about text attribute pollution outside of the equation object. The downside is longer to learn the accepted forms of LaTeX syntax allowed in the equation editor.

which produces:

Without the equation editor, you must be certain that the selected text to receive the copied and pasted Format style has deselected white-space around the text that is to receive the style. This will insulate the surround text from receiving the unwanted style treatment.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,176 points

Jul 11, 2020 4:34 PM in response to KlintonP

In my hands-on experience with Pages since it began offering its own internal equation editor, equations set with Pages equation editor (blahtex) have CarnationPink, but no Pink is supported. These are discrete document objects that do not bleed colors into adjacent text, nor do they provide a means to copy and paste formatting style between them. They do not interfere with adjoining text attributes in any way.

How are you entering equations in Pages 10.1?

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Answer 4

KlintonP Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2020 4:48 PM in response to VikingOSX

I am using the internal equation editor, then altering the color by highlighting the equation and formatting it on the sidebar Text Color. It is bleeding colors for me:

When I alternatively use the superscripts and subscripts to do equations in text, the subscript would "bleed" as well. I'm just not finding an easy way to do this. You'd think there would be a simple way to paste something without changing the format of the current sentence, right? Don't people find themselves copying and pasting the same thing several times in a document, like italicized definitions, without wanting to repeatedly change the format back every single time? This sounds like it has to be a setting somewhere.

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Answer 5

KlintonP Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2020 11:56 PM in response to VikingOSX

That's what I was looking for, thank you!

I didn't know that LaTeX had color formatting. That solves the problem indeed. I was able to simplify the syntax required by making templates of each variable and pasting them into systems of equations, matrices, etc outside of the equation editor, because they can be pasted without losing black formatting for everything else:

I'm still honestly surprised there's no way to paste without altering the current format, but this at least simplifies using Pages for legible equations and answers my base question. Thanks!

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Paste without changing format

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