Think before you paste

Why this matters: Pasting the whole document is fast. But deleting the names doesn't make it safe to share.

The prompt (copy and paste)

Use this to make a practice copy before you paste work text anywhere.

Help me make a safe practice copy of the text below.
Replace real-looking names, companies, products, web links,
ID numbers, money amounts and staff numbers with clear
placeholders (like "Client A" or "Person A").
Show me a short list of what you replaced.
Don't add any new details.
Then give me the cleaned text.

Text:
[paste]

Read the cleaned text yourself. AI misses things.

Before and after

Before: Someone is about to paste this into a free AI chat:

File: Acme_Renewal_Pricing_Mar2026_CONFIDENTIAL.xlsx "Maya Chen (Acme) unhappy with 12% uplift. Our margin on Plan Enterprise is 34%. Offer 8% if they sign by 28 Mar. Internal URL: https://intranet.example/deals/acme-88421. Ticket INC-99201. Headcount on support pod: 6 → maybe cut to 4 after renewal. Unpublished: sunsetting Product X in Q3 — don't tell customer yet."

They change "Maya Chen" to "Person A" and think it's fine. It isn't. The client, the profit, the deal deadline, the job cuts and a secret product plan are all still there.

After:

"Client A is unhappy with a price rise. Help me write a polite reply that keeps the conversation open."

That's all the task needs. Everything else stays out.

Check it (3 things)

1. Right tool. Is your company OK with this kind of text in this tool? A free personal chat is for made-up practice only. Some work tools promise not to keep your chats. That helps, but your company's rules still apply.
2. More than names. Did you also remove file names, links, ID numbers, prices and plans?
3. The regret test. Would you be OK if this got forwarded tomorrow? If not, cut more, or don't paste.

Not sure? Don't paste. Ask first. This page is a habit, not legal advice.

Do this now

Write a 3-line "never paste" list for your job. For example: client prices, staff names, internal links. Stick it next to your screen.