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Remove Word and Google Docs Formatting Junk

“Formatting junk” is unnecessary markup carried from a word processor into a web editor. It may include font definitions, colors, spacing, classes, empty paragraphs, nested spans, and Office-specific instructions that do not add meaning.

Common symptoms

  • Fonts or sizes change unexpectedly.
  • Headings look different from the rest of the site.
  • Extra blank space appears between paragraphs.
  • Lists restart, misnumber, or indent incorrectly.
  • Tables extend beyond the screen on phones.
  • Text cannot be reformatted consistently.
  • Content looks correct in the editor but changes after saving.
  • Pasted content produces unusually large or complicated HTML.

Preferred cleanup workflow

  1. Keep the approved source document open for reference.
  2. Copy one logical section at a time.
  3. Use a plain-text or remove-formatting method when direct paste carries unwanted styling.
  4. Reapply headings, lists, links, tables, emphasis, and callouts using the schoolboard.net editor.
  5. Remove repeated blank lines and manual spacing.
  6. Review the generated structure or HTML when that view is available.
  7. Save in Draft Mode and inspect the saved page.

Keep meaning, remove decoration

Retain:

  • headings and hierarchy;
  • ordered and unordered lists;
  • meaningful emphasis;
  • descriptive links;
  • data-table relationships;
  • image descriptions; and
  • legally significant language.

Remove or rebuild:

  • arbitrary fonts and font sizes;
  • page margins and print positioning;
  • tabs, repeated spaces, and empty paragraphs;
  • layout tables;
  • copied page headers and footers;
  • text boxes and floating elements; and
  • unnecessary colors, borders, and inline styles.

Plain text is a starting point, not a finished page

Pasting as plain text removes hidden formatting, but it also removes semantic structure. Rebuild headings, lists, links, tables, and appropriate emphasis before publishing.