Copy paste between Word and Google Docs loses formatting

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AI-generated summary

The discussion revolves around the issue of formatting loss when copying and pasting content from Microsoft Word to Google Docs. Mark_Finnern1 shared an example of a numbered list that got flattened and wrongly numbered when pasted from Google Docs. jomaxro explained that formatting issues occur due to differences in how programs store text when copied to the clipboard.

Mark_Finnern1 revealed that copying directly from Word results in lost numbering but correct indenting. The original goal is to use Discourse’s wiki functionality to create best practices documents, but the copy-paste issues and lack of a WYSIWYG editor might hinder its adoption.

vinothkannans acknowledged the issue as a known limitation when copying ordered lists from MS Word. Ian_Cuthbertson and Tania_Dadoun discovered a workaround by copying from Word to a Gmail message first, then to Google Docs, which helps retain most of the formatting.

1

I was often able to copy paste content with good results including bold formatting, picture and youtube videos.

This time it is frustrating. A numbered list just doesn’t work:

54%20PM
54%20PM1192×386 127 KB

The result is the following:
Solution: These tips help you successfully build alliances with sales.

  1. Create Joint Sales Plan w/shared goals and pipeline for accountability and contribution - answers the critical attribution question.

  2. Track activity log so that you can report on sourced & influenced revenue.

  3. Joint goals on sales plans & solutions

  4. Track activity log so that you can report on sourced & influenced revenue.

  5. Manage pre-pipeline stages proactively

  6. Ask your partner to identify accounts for early wins in new solutions.

  7. This creates a sense of trust and teamwork on both sides

  8. Solicit opportunity ideas from the field

It gets flattened and wrongly numbered, Mark.

2

Pasting formatted text is not perfect, very true. Programs store text when copied to the clipboard differently so we do our best to support common formats. Where are you copying from? (what program is the text in the screenshot from)

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3

The original was in Microsoft Word, that got transferred to Google docs and I copied it from there first.

When you copy it directly from word it looses the numbering, but gets the indenting right:

  • Create Joint Sales Plan w/shared goals and pipeline for accountability and contribution - answers the critical attribution question.
    • Track activity log so that you can report on sourced & influenced revenue .
    • Joint goals on sales plans & solutions
  • Track activity log so that you can report on sourced & influenced revenue.
    • Manage pre-pipeline stages proactively
  • Ask your partner to identify accounts for early wins in new solutions.
    • This creates a sense of trust and teamwork on both sides
  • Solicit opportunity ideas from the field

Every day the field is living and breathing their solutions: strengths …

4

The original hope is to use the wiki functionality of Discourse to create best practices documents that the community can enhance or create their own. With not having a WYSIWYG editor plus copy/paste not always working, the chances of it being embraced are getting slimmer by the minute :frowning:

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6

It’s a known issue. Both MS Word and Google Docs have many edge cases while copy pasting formatted content. We will improve this functionality in future for sure.

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7

If you paste from Word to a Gmail message most of the Word formatting is retained. If you then copy from the Gmail message to Google docs, once again most of the formatting is maintained. If you copy and paste directly the formatting is lost.
How mad is that?

1 Like
8

Is this in reference to Discourse at all?

3 Likes
9

Copying and pasting to Gmail first did retain most of the formatting when pasting from Microsoft Word to Google Docs.
Thank you so much!