Font size is not retained when copying text from MS Word to Prism’s notes on macOS

The Problem

Users have reported difficulties when copying and pasting text from Microsoft Word into the Mac version of GraphPad Prism. Specifically, when text formatted in Microsoft Word with a specified font size is pasted into Prism, the font size appears larger than intended. For example, text set to Arial 20 in Microsoft Word displays as Arial 26 in Prism. This inconsistency can be frustrating, especially for users who rely on precise formatting for their documents.

Why does this issue occur?

This issue does not seem to be a problem with Prism. Rather, the issue lies in how Microsoft Word handles text when it is copied to the clipboard. When text is copied, Word places multiple representations of the text in the pasteboard, including RTF, RTFD, and plain text. The RTFD format, which contains the text with the incorrect font size, is processed first due to its richer formatting capabilities. This results in the font size being altered when pasted into Prism. The issue has been observed not only in Prism but also in other applications like TextEdit and Numbers.

Users have reported issues with font sizes changing when copying and pasting text from Microsoft Word into various applications. Here are some discussions highlighting similar problems:

1. Microsoft Community Discussion on Font Size Changes:

• Users have noted that when pasting text using the “Keep Text Only” option in Word, the font size unexpectedly changes.

• One user mentioned trying various methods, such as pasting into Notepad first, but the issue persisted.

• Read more on Microsoft’s official forum.

2. Microsoft Community Discussion on Pasting Issues in Word for Mac:

• Users have experienced changes in font size and formatting when copying and pasting within Word for Mac, even within the same document.

• One user noted that copying text from a table to the body of the document did not maintain the original formatting, despite selecting the “Keep Formatting” option.

• Explore the thread on Microsoft’s community site.

These discussions suggest that inconsistencies in font size and formatting when pasting text from Word into other applications are common and can occur across different platforms and software.

Is there a workaround?

As a temporary solution, users can manually adjust the font size in Prism after pasting the text from MS Word. This can help achieve the desired appearance without significant disruption to the workflow.

Can it be fixed?

The Prism development team is aware of the issue, and will continue to investigate potential workarounds or solutions in future versions of Prism. At the same time, it is expected that future updates to Microsoft Word will address this problem, ensuring that the font size remains consistent when pasting into Prism and other applications. Users are encouraged to keep their Microsoft Word updated to benefit from these improvements.