The only paste option available in Office 2016 is paste as text. How to fix?

you can change defaults to show the Paste Options ...perhaps this got changed.

File, Options, Advanced, under "Cut, copy, and paste", check: Show Paste Options when content is posted.  Here is a screenshot for Excel -- Word is similar.

I checked the option you suggested.  Although all the options are shown correctly, and I can change them, they all appear to be grey -- almost like they are not really available.  Any other ideas?

Thanks,
John

hi John,

>> they all appear to be grey <<
don't worry about that ... it is just text color.  Does not mean can't be changed ... unless, of course, it can't.

when you save the options and then go back, are your changes saved?
If so, exit the application -- and make sure to close in any other Windows task using that application too.

Open the application again.  

Does it work as you want?
If not, check Options again ... were changes actually saved?
If not, there may be a problem with permissions.

I am able to make and save option changes.  Even when the options are correct, I can still only paste as text and that is the only option shown.

It does sound like something has gone wonky with your Office installation, particularly since it's happening in multiple apps. May I suggest repairing the Office installation?

Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features
Select Microsoft Office, then click Change in the Command Bar at the top of the list to get the Repair Options.

I already tried repairing Office, and also tried deleting the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word registry key.  These actions had no effect on the problem.

You deleted the Word registry key? Why? Is this an evaluation copy?

I deleted only the part of the registry that had info for Word for my account -- not the entry for licensing.  This is a fully licensed version.

Is this Office 2016 Perpetual License or Office 365 Subscription?

I'm not sure if the perpetual license version is like the subscription version, but in Office 365, you open Word and go to the File tab > Account panel where you register as the owner and sign in with your Microsoft ID. You might want to check that. Authentication is needed to have full functionality.

It is the perpetual license.

try rebooting the computer, if you have not done that recently

Have done that several times.

I ended up having to do a system restore to an earlier date.

Glad you got it resolved John and thanks for accepting my solution. A system restore can often resolve such issues if the problem relates to a screwed up Windows Registry entry or software related system file gone missing / bad.  It don't help for all problems, but it certainly can save a lot of trouble shooting time when it can help and rarely if ever causes any harm.  Will never understand why so many folks advocate turning it off and never using it. :)

Cheers..