Remove custom formatting from a sitcky (OSX Stickies)

When pasting text into a sticky, the original font/color/style of the source text is preserved. This can be really annoying over time. Other applications have a clear formatting shortcut key (Google uses cmd-\, openoffice cmd-m). What I'm looking for is:

  • shortcut key to remove formatting / revert to default
  • some sort of CLI prefs command that would force stickies to only use the default font
  • paste/copy as plain text clipboard control?

Just remember to press Cmd-Opt-Shift-V (Paste and Match Style) when pasting and you won't need to reset it all the time.


If you still want to reset:

  1. Cmd-N to make a new temporary Sticky with default formatting,
  2. Cmd-Opt-C to copy formatting,
  3. Cmd-W to close Sticky
  4. Cmd-A to select all
  5. Cmd-Opt-V to apply (default) formatting (i.e. clear).

Alternatively press the following sequence to copy all content of a Sticky into a new one with default style:

  1. Cmd-A,
  2. Cmd-C,
  3. Cmd-N,
  4. Cmd-Opt-Shift-V

Using AppleScript and Automator you could create a Service that automates these keystroke sequences.


Its not a full solution to what you asked (5 years ago), but with custom keyboard shortcuts, its possible to easily remap Cmd-V.

On El Capitan:

Go to: System Preferences, Keyboard, Shortcuts, App Shortcuts.

Plus sign to add a new shortcut.

Change the Application to 'Stickies'.

Menu Title: 'Paste and Match Style'

Keyboard Shortcut: [Press Cmd-V]

This is very similar to the accepted answer, but less keystrokes on a day to day basis.