diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/edit.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/edit.rs
index 018dd2991..179f35719 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/edit.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/edit.rs
@@ -1183,10 +1183,11 @@ fn paste_special(s: &mut Session, p: &Json) -> Result<Json> {
         *cx.sel = crate::Selection { active: at, anchor: at, ranges: vec![RangeRef::new(at, end)] };
         Ok(())
     })?;
-    // Formulas, formats (conditional formats hold formulas) and validation from an untrusted file
-    // leave the destination untrusted; plain values, column widths and notes carry nothing active
-    // (a linked paste of values still writes formulas).
-    let passive = matches!(what, What::ColumnWidths | What::Comments) || (!link && matches!(what, What::Values | What::ValuesAndNumberFormats));
+    // Formulas and validation from an untrusted file leave the destination untrusted; plain values,
+    // formats (cell styles and merged areas, no conditional formats), column widths and notes
+    // carry nothing active (a linked paste of values still writes formulas).
+    let passive =
+        matches!(what, What::Formats | What::ColumnWidths | What::Comments) || (!link && matches!(what, What::Values | What::ValuesAndNumberFormats));
     if !same_doc && !passive {
         let d = s.doc_mut()?;
         d.trust = d.trust.receive(clip.trust);
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/seams.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/seams.rs
index e641fb0cd..16b2617d7 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/seams.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/seams.rs
@@ -472,6 +472,9 @@ fn pasting_from_a_file_carries_its_trust() {
     // Values carry nothing that runs.
     s.execute("edit.pasteSpecial", json!({"what": "values", "at": "B1"})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(trust(&s), Trust::Local);
+    // Formats carry cell styles and merged areas, nothing that runs.
+    s.execute("edit.pasteSpecial", json!({"what": "formats", "at": "B3"})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(trust(&s), Trust::Local);
     // A linked paste of values still writes formulas.
     s.execute("edit.pasteSpecial", json!({"what": "values", "link": true, "at": "B2"})).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(trust(&s), Trust::FromFile);
diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index 0f97f857b..d815bc81c 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ Actions made of many commands (macros, a debugger that runs one step per call) u
   Commands run by other commands are not recorded, and the buffer is independent of the journal
   (Automate › Record Actions still records through the journal).
 - **Document trust.** `DocState::trust` is `Local` for workbooks made in the session and
-  `FromFile` for workbooks opened from a file, and for workbooks that received formulas, formats
-  or validation pasted from one. Active content in a `FromFile` workbook asks before it runs.
+  `FromFile` for workbooks opened from a file, and for workbooks that received formulas or
+  validation pasted from one. Active content in a `FromFile` workbook asks before it runs.
 - **Workbook data in hidden names** (`cmd/stash.rs`). An item is split over hidden
   workbook-scope names `_gc_<key>_0`, `_gc_<key>_1`, … of string literals within Excel's 255- and
   8,192-character limits, so it survives an xlsx round trip. The older single-name `_sc_<key>`