diff --git a/src/OutputParams.cpp b/src/OutputParams.cpp
index f8af8ad375..0ef0c2c6dd 100644
--- a/src/OutputParams.cpp
+++ b/src/OutputParams.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ OutputParams::OutputParams(Encoding const * enc)
 	  par_begin(0), par_end(0), lastid(-1), lastpos(-1), isLastPar(false),
 	  dryrun(false), pass_thru(false), 
 	  html_disable_captions(false), html_in_par(false),
-	  html_make_pars(true), for_toc(false), includeall(false)
+	  html_make_pars(true), for_toc(false), for_tooltip(false), includeall(false)
 {
 	// Note: in PreviewLoader::Impl::dumpPreamble
 	// OutputParams runparams(0); 
diff --git a/src/OutputParams.h b/src/OutputParams.h
index 40857d5aa8..b345670144 100644
--- a/src/OutputParams.h
+++ b/src/OutputParams.h
@@ -261,6 +261,9 @@ public:
 	/// Are we generating this material for inclusion in a TOC-like entity?
 	bool for_toc;
 	
+	/// Are we generating this material for inclusion in a tooltip?
+	bool for_tooltip;
+
 	/// Include all children notwithstanding the use of \includeonly
 	bool includeall;
 
diff --git a/src/Paragraph.cpp b/src/Paragraph.cpp
index d025a80b3f..f039a71ed2 100644
--- a/src/Paragraph.cpp
+++ b/src/Paragraph.cpp
@@ -1046,7 +1046,9 @@ void Paragraph::Private::latexInset(BufferParams const & bparams,
 	LASSERT(inset, /**/);
 
 	if (style.pass_thru) {
-		inset->plaintext(os.os(), runparams);
+		odocstringstream ods;
+		inset->plaintext(ods, runparams);
+		os << ods.str();
 		return;
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/TocBackend.cpp b/src/TocBackend.cpp
index e3dcca1d0e..0b9f6b60e8 100644
--- a/src/TocBackend.cpp
+++ b/src/TocBackend.cpp
@@ -231,14 +231,18 @@ Toc::iterator Toc::item(int depth, docstring const & str)
 }
 
 
-void TocBackend::writePlaintextTocList(string const & type, odocstream & os) const
+void TocBackend::writePlaintextTocList(string const & type,
+        odocstringstream & os, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	TocList::const_iterator cit = tocs_.find(type);
 	if (cit != tocs_.end()) {
 		TocIterator ccit = cit->second.begin();
 		TocIterator end = cit->second.end();
-		for (; ccit != end; ++ccit)
+		for (; ccit != end; ++ccit) {
 			os << ccit->asString() << from_utf8("\n");
+			if (os.str().size() > max_length)
+				break;
+		}
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/TocBackend.h b/src/TocBackend.h
index 40d2dbafe1..f3bd1e8823 100644
--- a/src/TocBackend.h
+++ b/src/TocBackend.h
@@ -128,7 +128,8 @@ public:
 	) const;
 
 	///
-	void writePlaintextTocList(std::string const & type, odocstream & os) const;
+	void writePlaintextTocList(std::string const & type,
+	        odocstringstream & os, size_t max_length) const;
 
 private:
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/Inset.h b/src/insets/Inset.h
index b82234fbd6..a79ce38ac2 100644
--- a/src/insets/Inset.h
+++ b/src/insets/Inset.h
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 #include "support/strfwd.h"
 #include "support/types.h"
 
+#include <climits>
+
 
 namespace lyx {
 
@@ -314,7 +316,8 @@ public:
 	/// plain text output in ucs4 encoding
 	/// return the number of characters; in case of multiple lines of
 	/// output, add PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE to the number of chars in the last line
-	virtual int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const = 0;
+	virtual int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &,
+	                      size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const = 0;
 	/// docbook output
 	virtual int docbook(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const;
 	/// XHTML output
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetArgument.h b/src/insets/InsetArgument.h
index 7ba81e37d9..b2693a49a0 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetArgument.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetArgument.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const { }
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const { return 0; }
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &, int) const { return 0; }
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const { return 0; }
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBibitem.cpp b/src/insets/InsetBibitem.cpp
index a05b21d28b..9ec9de99bf 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBibitem.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBibitem.cpp
@@ -216,7 +216,8 @@ docstring InsetBibitem::screenLabel() const
 }
 
 
-int InsetBibitem::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetBibitem::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, int) const
 {
 	odocstringstream oss;
 	oss << '[' << bibLabel() << "] ";
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBibitem.h b/src/insets/InsetBibitem.h
index 49388243ac..5d4ae9fe1e 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBibitem.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBibitem.h
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void read(Lexer & lex);
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &,
+	              int max_length) const;
 	///
 	docstring xhtml(XHTMLStream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBibtex.cpp b/src/insets/InsetBibtex.cpp
index 9c51355a21..0392b9d233 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBibtex.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBibtex.cpp
@@ -928,12 +928,14 @@ void InsetBibtex::validate(LaTeXFeatures & features) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetBibtex::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetBibtex::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+       OutputParams const &, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	BiblioInfo bibinfo = buffer().masterBibInfo();
 	bibinfo.makeCitationLabels(buffer());
 	vector<docstring> const & cites = bibinfo.citedEntries();
 
+	size_t start_size = os.str().size();
 	docstring refoutput;
 	docstring const reflabel = buffer().B_("References");
 
@@ -943,6 +945,8 @@ int InsetBibtex::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
 	vector<docstring>::const_iterator vit = cites.begin();
 	vector<docstring>::const_iterator const ven = cites.end();
 	for (; vit != ven; ++vit) {
+		if (start_size + refoutput.size() >= max_length)
+			break;
 		BiblioInfo::const_iterator const biit = bibinfo.find(*vit);
 		if (biit == bibinfo.end())
 			continue;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBibtex.h b/src/insets/InsetBibtex.h
index 6883191ed6..8c4fa18d3d 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBibtex.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBibtex.h
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	void collectBibKeys(InsetIterator const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp b/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp
index f55abcdfa1..cdd3f37741 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp
@@ -440,7 +440,8 @@ void InsetBox::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetBox::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetBox::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+       OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	BoxType const btype = boxtranslator().find(params_.type);
 
@@ -466,7 +467,7 @@ int InsetBox::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 			break;
 	}
 
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 
 	int len = 0;
 	switch (btype) {
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBox.h b/src/insets/InsetBox.h
index cf0f689ed1..9c498b67e3 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBox.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBox.h
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp b/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp
index efdeea56a5..11774a390b 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp
@@ -262,13 +262,13 @@ void InsetBranch::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetBranch::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			   OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetBranch::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			   OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	if (!isBranchSelected())
 		return 0;
 
-	int len = InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	int len = InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	return len;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBranch.h b/src/insets/InsetBranch.h
index 6588bc61b3..f64f616b40 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBranch.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBranch.h
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCaption.cpp b/src/insets/InsetCaption.cpp
index 37913bc480..764e940a13 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCaption.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCaption.cpp
@@ -279,11 +279,11 @@ void InsetCaption::latex(otexstream & os,
 }
 
 
-int InsetCaption::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			    OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetCaption::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			    OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << '[' << full_label_ << "\n";
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "\n]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE + 1; // one char on a separate line
@@ -350,7 +350,9 @@ int InsetCaption::getCaptionAsPlaintext(odocstream & os,
 			OutputParams const & runparams) const
 {
 	os << full_label_ << ' ';
-	return InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	return InsetText::plaintext(ods, runparams);
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCaption.h b/src/insets/InsetCaption.h
index d792d77640..58822435cd 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCaption.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCaption.h
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const;
 	/// 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCitation.cpp b/src/insets/InsetCitation.cpp
index 60e3bbe0fc..743bda69cb 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCitation.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCitation.cpp
@@ -342,7 +342,8 @@ void InsetCitation::addToToc(DocIterator const & cpit) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetCitation::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetCitation::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+       OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	string const & cmd = getCmdName();
 	if (cmd == "nocite")
@@ -396,7 +397,9 @@ docstring InsetCitation::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const &) const
 
 void InsetCitation::toString(odocstream & os) const
 {
-	plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0));
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCitation.h b/src/insets/InsetCitation.h
index 1b2f714bfa..0bd048ebfb 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCitation.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCitation.h
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCommand.cpp b/src/insets/InsetCommand.cpp
index 004f2f3283..b2fbc69000 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCommand.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCommand.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,8 @@ void InsetCommand::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams_in) con
 }
 
 
-int InsetCommand::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetCommand::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	docstring const str = "[" + buffer().B_("LaTeX Command: ")
 		+ from_utf8(getCmdName()) + "]";
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCommand.h b/src/insets/InsetCommand.h
index 4d5066e33f..131beff900 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCommand.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCommand.h
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const & runparams) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp b/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp
index d120a58114..eb9a808fbf 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ void InsetERT::write(ostream & os) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetERT::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & rp) const
+int InsetERT::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & rp, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	if (!rp.inIndexEntry)
 		// do not output TeX code
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ int InsetERT::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & rp) const
 	ParagraphList::const_iterator par = paragraphs().begin();
 	ParagraphList::const_iterator end = paragraphs().end();
 
-	while (par != end) {
+	while (par != end && os.str().size() <= max_length) {
 		pos_type siz = par->size();
 		for (pos_type i = 0; i < siz; ++i) {
 			char_type const c = par->getChar(i);
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetERT.h b/src/insets/InsetERT.h
index 7d77bdafa4..f92304aa39 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetERT.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetERT.h
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void write(std::ostream & os) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetExternal.cpp b/src/insets/InsetExternal.cpp
index c0f7225664..e73a6c02f6 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetExternal.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetExternal.cpp
@@ -691,8 +691,8 @@ void InsetExternal::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetExternal::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			     OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetExternal::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			     OutputParams const & runparams, size_t) const
 {
 	os << '\n'; // output external material on a new line
 	external::writeExternal(params_, "Ascii", buffer(), os,
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetExternal.h b/src/insets/InsetExternal.h
index bbe2162fec..a875d37995 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetExternal.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetExternal.h
@@ -132,7 +132,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void read(Lexer & lex);
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	/// For now, this does nothing. Someone who knows about this
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFloat.cpp b/src/insets/InsetFloat.cpp
index 333702a637..bd465fbc3e 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFloat.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFloat.cpp
@@ -389,11 +389,11 @@ void InsetFloat::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams_in) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetFloat::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetFloat::plaintext(odocstringstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << '[' << buffer().B_("float") << ' '
 		<< floatName(params_.type) << ":\n";
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "\n]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE + 1; // one char on a separate line
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFloat.h b/src/insets/InsetFloat.h
index 502422a21b..f254bc48db 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFloat.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFloat.h
@@ -85,7 +85,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFloatList.cpp b/src/insets/InsetFloatList.cpp
index 5e72ee386f..fcaf1b36c4 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFloatList.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFloatList.cpp
@@ -160,11 +160,12 @@ void InsetFloatList::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetFloatList::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetFloatList::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << screenLabel() << "\n\n";
 
-	buffer().tocBackend().writePlaintextTocList(to_ascii(getParam("type")), os);
+	buffer().tocBackend().writePlaintextTocList(to_ascii(getParam("type")), os, max_length);
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
 }
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFloatList.h b/src/insets/InsetFloatList.h
index 0b570766fd..46b294a0ab 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFloatList.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFloatList.h
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const { return 0; }
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const & runparams) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	docstring xhtml(XHTMLStream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFoot.cpp b/src/insets/InsetFoot.cpp
index 489358a110..a7139f9213 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFoot.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFoot.cpp
@@ -107,10 +107,11 @@ void InsetFoot::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams_in) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetFoot::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetFoot::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << '[' << buffer().B_("footnote") << ":\n";
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "\n]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE + 1; // one char on a separate line
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFoot.h b/src/insets/InsetFoot.h
index f77ae3fedf..6106fcd352 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFoot.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFoot.h
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	/// Update the counters of this inset and of its contents
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetGraphics.cpp b/src/insets/InsetGraphics.cpp
index 9962af6039..eec663e30b 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetGraphics.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetGraphics.cpp
@@ -809,7 +809,8 @@ void InsetGraphics::latex(otexstream & os,
 }
 
 
-int InsetGraphics::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetGraphics::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	// No graphics in ascii output. Possible to use gifscii to convert
 	// images to ascii approximation.
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetGraphics.h b/src/insets/InsetGraphics.h
index bee9fe0884..d8ad8f8c71 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetGraphics.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetGraphics.h
@@ -74,7 +74,8 @@ private:
 	 */
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.cpp b/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.cpp
index 37692af97a..60c64f9421 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.cpp
@@ -209,7 +209,8 @@ void InsetHyperlink::latex(otexstream & os,
 }
 
 
-int InsetHyperlink::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetHyperlink::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	odocstringstream oss;
 
@@ -250,7 +251,9 @@ docstring InsetHyperlink::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const &) const
 
 void InsetHyperlink::toString(odocstream & os) const
 {
-	plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0), INT_MAX);
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.h b/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.h
index fb4c891979..b33665e96a 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetHyperlink.h
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.cpp b/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.cpp
index 0806375efd..f8888ce96e 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.cpp
@@ -281,11 +281,11 @@ void InsetIPADeco::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetIPADeco::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			    OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetIPADeco::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			    OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	odocstringstream ods;
-	int h = (int)(InsetCollapsable::plaintext(ods, runparams) / 2);
+	int h = (int)(InsetCollapsable::plaintext(ods, runparams, max_length) / 2);
 	docstring result = ods.str();
 	docstring const before = result.substr(0, h);
 	docstring const after = result.substr(h, result.size());
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ void InsetIPAChar::latex(otexstream & os,
 }
 
 
-int InsetIPAChar::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetIPAChar::plaintext(odocstringstream & os, OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	switch (kind_) {
 	case TONE_FALLING:
@@ -588,7 +588,9 @@ docstring InsetIPAChar::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const &) const
 
 void InsetIPAChar::toString(odocstream & os) const
 {
-	plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0));
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.h b/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.h
index d89d17a674..35039a195c 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetIPAMacro.h
@@ -76,7 +76,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
@@ -146,7 +147,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetInclude.cpp b/src/insets/InsetInclude.cpp
index 2a3a196708..2bf3ae722f 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetInclude.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetInclude.cpp
@@ -810,9 +810,11 @@ docstring InsetInclude::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const & rp) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetInclude::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & op) const
+int InsetInclude::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & op, size_t) const
 {
-	if (isVerbatim(params()) || isListings(params())) {
+	// don't write the file just because we're making a tooltip or toc entry!!
+	if (op.for_tooltip || op.for_toc || isVerbatim(params()) || isListings(params())) {
 		os << '[' << screenLabel() << '\n';
 		// FIXME: We don't know the encoding of the file, default to UTF-8.
 		os << includedFileName(buffer(), params()).fileContents("UTF-8");
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetInclude.h b/src/insets/InsetInclude.h
index 2583f41406..cbc2db02e7 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetInclude.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetInclude.h
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetIndex.cpp b/src/insets/InsetIndex.cpp
index 4bb2d4dfa6..c754ac0e67 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetIndex.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetIndex.cpp
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@
 
 #include "frontends/alert.h"
 
-#include <ostream>
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <ostream>
 
 using namespace std;
 using namespace lyx::support;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetLabel.cpp b/src/insets/InsetLabel.cpp
index e52540e89d..557548d84d 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetLabel.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetLabel.cpp
@@ -254,7 +254,8 @@ void InsetLabel::doDispatch(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 }
 
 
-int InsetLabel::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetLabel::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	docstring const str = getParam("name");
 	os << '<' << str << '>';
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetLabel.h b/src/insets/InsetLabel.h
index 61bcc1f310..c28ef1c0b5 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetLabel.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetLabel.h
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	InsetCode lyxCode() const { return LABEL_CODE; }
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetLine.cpp b/src/insets/InsetLine.cpp
index 353a24ef95..82960b262e 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetLine.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetLine.cpp
@@ -185,7 +185,8 @@ void InsetLine::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetLine::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetLine::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	os << "\n-------------------------------------------\n";
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetLine.h b/src/insets/InsetLine.h
index d1f6f52df0..f6b8a600a5 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetLine.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetLine.h
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@ private:
 	void metrics(MetricsInfo &, Dimension &) const;
 	void draw(PainterInfo & pi, int x, int y) const;
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	void doDispatch(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd);
 	bool getStatus(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest const & cmd, FuncStatus &) const;
 	Inset * clone() const { return new InsetLine(*this); }
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetMarginal.cpp b/src/insets/InsetMarginal.cpp
index 3f1aea0358..d7ec180de5 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetMarginal.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetMarginal.cpp
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@ InsetMarginal::InsetMarginal(Buffer * buf)
 {}
 
 
-int InsetMarginal::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			     OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetMarginal::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			     OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << '[' << buffer().B_("margin") << ":\n";
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "\n]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE + 1; // one char on a separate line
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetMarginal.h b/src/insets/InsetMarginal.h
index 67bd1e5a54..8f7c89a52a 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetMarginal.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetMarginal.h
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	docstring layoutName() const { return from_ascii("Marginal"); }
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const & runparams) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const & runparams) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNewline.cpp b/src/insets/InsetNewline.cpp
index 92f94eaaa7..0927c7e7d0 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNewline.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNewline.cpp
@@ -161,7 +161,8 @@ void InsetNewline::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & rp) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetNewline::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetNewline::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	os << '\n';
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNewline.h b/src/insets/InsetNewline.h
index 3dbbaa1085..2dc9c553ed 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNewline.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNewline.h
@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNewpage.cpp b/src/insets/InsetNewpage.cpp
index 85e8d14dd3..15d45f071a 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNewpage.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNewpage.cpp
@@ -235,7 +235,8 @@ void InsetNewpage::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetNewpage::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetNewpage::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	os << '\n';
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNewpage.h b/src/insets/InsetNewpage.h
index 6a1d639b07..51f640a097 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNewpage.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNewpage.h
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp b/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp
index 874a6aaf1a..ea1299720d 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp
@@ -253,8 +253,8 @@ void InsetNote::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams_in) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetNote::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			 OutputParams const & runparams_in) const
+int InsetNote::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			 OutputParams const & runparams_in, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	if (params_.type == InsetNoteParams::Note)
 		return 0;
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ int InsetNote::plaintext(odocstream & os,
 		runparams.exportdata.reset(new ExportData);
 	}
 	os << '[' << buffer().B_("note") << ":\n";
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "\n]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE + 1; // one char on a separate line
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNote.h b/src/insets/InsetNote.h
index 2deb84f0f8..255930fedc 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNote.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNote.h
@@ -85,7 +85,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetPhantom.cpp b/src/insets/InsetPhantom.cpp
index 5a63957ef8..f7a9b45d9a 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetPhantom.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetPhantom.cpp
@@ -320,8 +320,8 @@ void InsetPhantom::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetPhantom::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-			    OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetPhantom::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+			    OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	if (params_.type == InsetPhantomParams::Phantom)
 		os << '[' << buffer().B_("phantom") << ":";
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ int InsetPhantom::plaintext(odocstream & os,
 		os << '[' << buffer().B_("hphantom") << ":";
 	else if (params_.type == InsetPhantomParams::VPhantom)
 		os << '[' << buffer().B_("vphantom") << ":";
-	InsetCollapsable::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetCollapsable::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetPhantom.h b/src/insets/InsetPhantom.h
index eb36274f6e..fad50637b2 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetPhantom.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetPhantom.h
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	/// Makes no sense fof XHTML.
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetQuotes.cpp b/src/insets/InsetQuotes.cpp
index 1295f27f07..70911fd659 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetQuotes.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetQuotes.cpp
@@ -298,7 +298,8 @@ void InsetQuotes::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetQuotes::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetQuotes::plaintext(odocstringstream & os, 
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	docstring const str = displayString();
 	os << str;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetQuotes.h b/src/insets/InsetQuotes.h
index af0136e939..743208ff39 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetQuotes.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetQuotes.h
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetRef.cpp b/src/insets/InsetRef.cpp
index 49743ceea8..abfecbae12 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetRef.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetRef.cpp
@@ -172,7 +172,8 @@ void InsetRef::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & rp) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetRef::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetRef::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	docstring const str = getParam("reference");
 	os << '[' << str << ']';
@@ -246,7 +247,9 @@ docstring InsetRef::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const &) const
 
 void InsetRef::toString(odocstream & os) const
 {
-	plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0));
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetRef.h b/src/insets/InsetRef.h
index 740bac3dc4..09122c1ebe 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetRef.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetRef.h
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetScript.cpp b/src/insets/InsetScript.cpp
index 135962353a..c98a9bed48 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetScript.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetScript.cpp
@@ -313,11 +313,11 @@ docstring InsetScript::toolTip(BufferView const &, int, int) const
 {
 	OutputParams rp(&buffer().params().encoding());
 	odocstringstream ods;
-	InsetText::plaintext(ods, rp);
+	InsetText::plaintext(ods, rp, 200);
 	docstring content_tip = ods.str();
 	// shorten it if necessary
-	if (content_tip.size() > 200)
-		content_tip = content_tip.substr(0, 200) + "...";
+	if (content_tip.size() >= 200)
+		content_tip = content_tip.substr(0, 197) + "...";
 	docstring res = scripttranslator_loc().find(params_.type);
 	if (!content_tip.empty())
 		res += from_ascii(": ") + content_tip;
@@ -325,10 +325,11 @@ docstring InsetScript::toolTip(BufferView const &, int, int) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetScript::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetScript::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	odocstringstream oss;
-	InsetText::plaintext(oss, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(oss, runparams, max_length);
 	docstring const text = oss.str();
 	switch (params_.type) {
 	case InsetScriptParams::Subscript:
@@ -352,7 +353,7 @@ int InsetScript::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) cons
 		os << '[' << buffer().B_("superscript") << ':';
 		break;
 	}
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << ']';
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetScript.h b/src/insets/InsetScript.h
index 96597d2dac..decfee37ae 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetScript.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetScript.h
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	bool neverIndent() const { return true; }
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetSpace.cpp b/src/insets/InsetSpace.cpp
index 90d171e2d4..4d0542dfbd 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetSpace.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetSpace.cpp
@@ -621,7 +621,8 @@ void InsetSpace::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetSpace::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetSpace::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	switch (params_.kind) {
 	case InsetSpaceParams::HFILL:
@@ -813,7 +814,9 @@ void InsetSpace::validate(LaTeXFeatures & features) const
 
 void InsetSpace::toString(odocstream & os) const
 {
-	plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0));
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetSpace.h b/src/insets/InsetSpace.h
index 718a97ba17..7e32dc7cb5 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetSpace.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetSpace.h
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.cpp b/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.cpp
index 0099fc4e1e..f342d0f20d 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.cpp
@@ -239,7 +239,8 @@ void InsetSpecialChar::latex(otexstream & os,
 }
 
 
-int InsetSpecialChar::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetSpecialChar::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	switch (kind_) {
 	case HYPHENATION:
@@ -329,8 +330,11 @@ void InsetSpecialChar::toString(odocstream & os) const
 		// Spell checker would choke on it.
 		return;
 	default:
-		plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+		break;
 	}
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0));
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.h b/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.h
index 2d8401c2b5..c66dbc3e19 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetSpecialChar.h
@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetTOC.cpp b/src/insets/InsetTOC.cpp
index 414d6780fd..1d8a05495f 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetTOC.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetTOC.cpp
@@ -110,10 +110,11 @@ void InsetTOC::validate(LaTeXFeatures & features) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetTOC::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetTOC::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << screenLabel() << "\n\n";
-	buffer().tocBackend().writePlaintextTocList(cmd2type(getCmdName()), os);
+	buffer().tocBackend().writePlaintextTocList(cmd2type(getCmdName()), os, max_length);
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetTOC.h b/src/insets/InsetTOC.h
index e6e932b3f1..f0f6169e75 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetTOC.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetTOC.h
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	virtual void validate(LaTeXFeatures &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp b/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp
index 4285e4ac44..120eb13d31 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetTabular.cpp
@@ -64,10 +64,10 @@
 
 #include <boost/scoped_ptr.hpp>
 
-#include <sstream>
+#include <cstring>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <limits>
-#include <cstring>
+#include <sstream>
 
 using namespace std;
 using namespace lyx::support;
@@ -3086,7 +3086,7 @@ docstring Tabular::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-bool Tabular::plaintextTopHLine(odocstream & os, row_type row,
+bool Tabular::plaintextTopHLine(odocstringstream & os, row_type row,
 				   vector<unsigned int> const & clen) const
 {
 	idx_type const fcell = getFirstCellInRow(row);
@@ -3134,7 +3134,7 @@ bool Tabular::plaintextTopHLine(odocstream & os, row_type row,
 }
 
 
-bool Tabular::plaintextBottomHLine(odocstream & os, row_type row,
+bool Tabular::plaintextBottomHLine(odocstringstream & os, row_type row,
 				      vector<unsigned int> const & clen) const
 {
 	idx_type const fcell = getFirstCellInRow(row);
@@ -3181,14 +3181,14 @@ bool Tabular::plaintextBottomHLine(odocstream & os, row_type row,
 }
 
 
-void Tabular::plaintextPrintCell(odocstream & os,
+void Tabular::plaintextPrintCell(odocstringstream & os,
 			       OutputParams const & runparams,
 			       idx_type cell, row_type row, col_type column,
 			       vector<unsigned int> const & clen,
-			       bool onlydata) const
+			       bool onlydata, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	odocstringstream sstr;
-	cellInset(cell)->plaintext(sstr, runparams);
+	cellInset(cell)->plaintext(sstr, runparams, max_length);
 
 	if (onlydata) {
 		os << sstr.str();
@@ -3231,9 +3231,9 @@ void Tabular::plaintextPrintCell(odocstream & os,
 }
 
 
-void Tabular::plaintext(odocstream & os,
+void Tabular::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
 			   OutputParams const & runparams, int const depth,
-			   bool onlydata, char_type delim) const
+			   bool onlydata, char_type delim, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	// first calculate the width of the single columns
 	vector<unsigned int> clen(ncols());
@@ -3247,7 +3247,7 @@ void Tabular::plaintext(odocstream & os,
 				if (isMultiColumn(cell))
 					continue;
 				odocstringstream sstr;
-				cellInset(cell)->plaintext(sstr, runparams);
+				cellInset(cell)->plaintext(sstr, runparams, max_length);
 				if (clen[c] < sstr.str().length())
 					clen[c] = sstr.str().length();
 			}
@@ -3259,7 +3259,7 @@ void Tabular::plaintext(odocstream & os,
 				if (cell_info[r][c].multicolumn != CELL_BEGIN_OF_MULTICOLUMN)
 					continue;
 				odocstringstream sstr;
-				cellInset(cell)->plaintext(sstr, runparams);
+				cellInset(cell)->plaintext(sstr, runparams, max_length);
 				int len = int(sstr.str().length());
 				idx_type const n = columnSpan(cell);
 				for (col_type k = c; len > 0 && k < c + n - 1; ++k)
@@ -3280,8 +3280,10 @@ void Tabular::plaintext(odocstream & os,
 				// we don't use operator<< for single UCS4 character.
 				// see explanation in docstream.h
 				os.put(delim);
-			plaintextPrintCell(os, runparams, cell, r, c, clen, onlydata);
+			plaintextPrintCell(os, runparams, cell, r, c, clen, onlydata, max_length);
 			++cell;
+			if (os.str().size() > max_length)
+				break;
 		}
 		os << endl;
 		if (!onlydata) {
@@ -3289,6 +3291,8 @@ void Tabular::plaintext(odocstream & os,
 			if (plaintextBottomHLine(os, r, clen))
 				os << docstring(depth * 2, ' ');
 		}
+		if (os.str().size() > max_length)
+			break;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -4954,11 +4958,12 @@ void InsetTabular::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetTabular::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetTabular::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << '\n'; // output table on a new line
 	int const dp = runparams.linelen > 0 ? runparams.depth : 0;
-	tabular.plaintext(os, runparams, dp, false, 0);
+	tabular.plaintext(os, runparams, dp, false, 0, max_length);
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
 }
 
@@ -5999,7 +6004,7 @@ bool InsetTabular::copySelection(Cursor & cur)
 
 	odocstringstream os;
 	OutputParams const runparams(0);
-	paste_tabular->plaintext(os, runparams, 0, true, '\t');
+	paste_tabular->plaintext(os, runparams, 0, true, '\t', INT_MAX);
 	// Needed for the "Edit->Paste recent" menu and the system clipboard.
 	cap::copySelection(cur, os.str());
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetTabular.h b/src/insets/InsetTabular.h
index 707ab01aee..2f0ff3b760 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetTabular.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetTabular.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 
 #include "support/shared_ptr.h"
 
+#include <climits>
 #include <iosfwd>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -500,9 +501,9 @@ public:
 	///
 	docstring xhtml(XHTMLStream & os, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	void plaintext(odocstream &,
+	void plaintext(odocstringstream &,
 		       OutputParams const & runparams, int const depth,
-		       bool onlydata, char_type delim) const;
+		       bool onlydata, char_type delim, size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	bool isMultiColumn(idx_type cell) const;
 	///
@@ -783,17 +784,17 @@ public:
 	///
 	// helper functions for plain text
 	///
-	bool plaintextTopHLine(odocstream &, row_type row,
+	bool plaintextTopHLine(odocstringstream &, row_type row,
 			       std::vector<unsigned int> const &) const;
 	///
-	bool plaintextBottomHLine(odocstream &, row_type row,
+	bool plaintextBottomHLine(odocstringstream &, row_type row,
 				  std::vector<unsigned int> const &) const;
 	///
-	void plaintextPrintCell(odocstream &,
+	void plaintextPrintCell(odocstringstream &,
 				OutputParams const &,
 				idx_type cell, row_type row, col_type column,
 				std::vector<unsigned int> const &,
-				bool onlydata) const;
+				bool onlydata, size_t max_length) const;
 	/// auxiliary function for docbook
 	int docbookRow(odocstream & os, row_type, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
@@ -857,7 +858,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetText.cpp b/src/insets/InsetText.cpp
index 3ec6f40492..b3baf93ba1 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetText.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetText.cpp
@@ -507,7 +507,8 @@ void InsetText::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetText::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetText::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	ParagraphList::const_iterator beg = paragraphs().begin();
 	ParagraphList::const_iterator end = paragraphs().end();
@@ -521,12 +522,14 @@ int InsetText::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
 				os << '\n';
 		}
 		odocstringstream oss;
-		writePlaintextParagraph(buffer(), *it, oss, runparams, ref_printed);
+		writePlaintextParagraph(buffer(), *it, oss, runparams, ref_printed, max_length);
 		docstring const str = oss.str();
 		os << str;
 		// FIXME: len is not computed fully correctly; in principle,
 		// we have to count the characters after the last '\n'
 		len = str.size();
+		if (os.str().size() >= max_length)
+			break;
 	}
 
 	return len;
@@ -961,6 +964,7 @@ docstring InsetText::toolTipText(docstring prefix,
 {
 	size_t const max_length = numlines * len;
 	OutputParams rp(&buffer().params().encoding());
+	rp.for_tooltip = true;
 	odocstringstream oss;
 	oss << prefix;
 
@@ -973,9 +977,9 @@ docstring InsetText::toolTipText(docstring prefix,
 	for (; it != end; ++it) {
 		if (it != beg)
 			oss << '\n';
-		writePlaintextParagraph(buffer(), *it, oss, rp, ref_printed);
+		writePlaintextParagraph(buffer(), *it, oss, rp, ref_printed, max_length);
 		str = oss.str();
-		if (str.length() > max_length)
+		if (str.length() >= max_length)
 			break;
 	}
 	return support::wrapParas(str, 4, len, numlines);
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetText.h b/src/insets/InsetText.h
index b1d1502393..a77bf92875 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetText.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetText.h
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetVSpace.cpp b/src/insets/InsetVSpace.cpp
index 1e46425aa6..927980dcf3 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetVSpace.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetVSpace.cpp
@@ -207,7 +207,8 @@ void InsetVSpace::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetVSpace::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetVSpace::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	os << "\n\n";
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetVSpace.h b/src/insets/InsetVSpace.h
index 4724c7b567..03e8d59b5e 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetVSpace.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetVSpace.h
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	/// Note that this returns the inset rather than writing it,
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetWrap.cpp b/src/insets/InsetWrap.cpp
index f15b0dd43c..181474a889 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetWrap.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetWrap.cpp
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@
 
 #include "frontends/Application.h"
 
+#include <climits>
+
 using namespace std;
 
 
@@ -201,11 +203,12 @@ void InsetWrap::latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams_in) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetWrap::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetWrap::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & runparams, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	os << '[' << buffer().B_("wrap") << ' '
 		<< floatName(params_.type) << ":\n";
-	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams);
+	InsetText::plaintext(os, runparams, max_length);
 	os << "\n]";
 
 	return PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE + 1; // one char on a separate line
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetWrap.h b/src/insets/InsetWrap.h
index bdd084b0ef..ce6b73eb03 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetWrap.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetWrap.h
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ private:
 	///
 	void latex(otexstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream & ods, OutputParams const & op,
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.cpp b/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.cpp
index 07ed683c55..88b54c28c5 100644
--- a/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.cpp
+++ b/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.cpp
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ void InsetFormulaMacro::latex(otexstream & os,
 }
 
 
-int InsetFormulaMacro::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams) const
+int InsetFormulaMacro::plaintext(odocstringstream & os, OutputParams const & runparams, int max_length) const
 {
 	odocstringstream oss;
 	WriteStream wi(oss, false, true, WriteStream::wsDefault, runparams.encoding);
diff --git a/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.h b/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.h
index 0e4e3ba700..25e8969580 100644
--- a/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.h
+++ b/src/mathed/InsetFormulaMacro.h
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public:
 	///
 	int latex(otexstream & os, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &, size_t) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 
diff --git a/src/mathed/InsetMath.cpp b/src/mathed/InsetMath.cpp
index 5507a868c9..a4e310fc6e 100644
--- a/src/mathed/InsetMath.cpp
+++ b/src/mathed/InsetMath.cpp
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ void InsetMath::write(WriteStream & os) const
 }
 
 
-int InsetMath::plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const
+int InsetMath::plaintext(odocstringstream &, 
+        OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	// all math plain text output shall take place in InsetMathHull
 	LASSERT(false, /**/);
diff --git a/src/mathed/InsetMath.h b/src/mathed/InsetMath.h
index 80139ba08f..c1b1b05720 100644
--- a/src/mathed/InsetMath.h
+++ b/src/mathed/InsetMath.h
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void octave(OctaveStream &) const;
 
 	/// plain text output in ucs4 encoding
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &, size_t) const;
 
 	/// dump content to stderr for debugging
 	virtual void dump() const;
diff --git a/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.cpp b/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.cpp
index 6598bd913d..bbfda5aee5 100644
--- a/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.cpp
+++ b/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.cpp
@@ -1895,7 +1895,8 @@ bool InsetMathHull::readQuiet(Lexer & lex)
 }
 
 
-int InsetMathHull::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & op) const
+int InsetMathHull::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+        OutputParams const & op, size_t max_length) const
 {
 	// disables ASCII-art for export of equations. See #2275.
 	if (0 && display()) {
@@ -1923,7 +1924,7 @@ int InsetMathHull::plaintext(odocstream & os, OutputParams const & op) const
 				wi << (c == 0 ? "" : "\t") << cell(index(r, c));
 			// if it's for the TOC, we write just the first line
 			// and do not include the newline.
-			if (op.for_toc)
+			if (op.for_toc || op.for_tooltip || oss.str().size() >= max_length)
 				break;
 			wi << "\n";
 		}
@@ -2239,7 +2240,9 @@ docstring InsetMathHull::xhtml(XHTMLStream & xs, OutputParams const & op) const
 
 void InsetMathHull::toString(odocstream & os) const
 {
-	plaintext(os, OutputParams(0));
+	odocstringstream ods;
+	plaintext(ods, OutputParams(0));
+	os << ods.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.h b/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.h
index d37fe3af14..3ac17780b8 100644
--- a/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.h
+++ b/src/mathed/InsetMathHull.h
@@ -126,7 +126,8 @@ public:
 	///
 	bool readQuiet(Lexer & lex);
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &, 
+	              size_t max_length = INT_MAX) const;
 	///
 	int docbook(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.cpp b/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.cpp
index 8220aa68a6..3136b69ba9 100644
--- a/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.cpp
+++ b/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.cpp
@@ -1252,8 +1252,8 @@ docstring MathMacroTemplate::xhtml(XHTMLStream &, OutputParams const &) const
 	return docstring();
 }
 
-int MathMacroTemplate::plaintext(odocstream & os,
-				 OutputParams const &) const
+int MathMacroTemplate::plaintext(odocstringstream & os,
+				 OutputParams const &, size_t) const
 {
 	static docstring const str = '[' + buffer().B_("math macro") + ']';
 
diff --git a/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.h b/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.h
index 4e5fc72174..9bb7cfb3d7 100644
--- a/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.h
+++ b/src/mathed/MathMacroTemplate.h
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public:
 	/// Nothing happens. This is simply to suppress the default output.
 	docstring xhtml(XHTMLStream &, OutputParams const &) const;
 	///
-	int plaintext(odocstream &, OutputParams const &) const;
+	int plaintext(odocstringstream &, OutputParams const &, size_t) const;
 	///
 	bool inheritFont() const { return false; }
 
diff --git a/src/output_plaintext.cpp b/src/output_plaintext.cpp
index 476e62d368..2dfc836f1a 100644
--- a/src/output_plaintext.cpp
+++ b/src/output_plaintext.cpp
@@ -75,9 +75,9 @@ static pair<int, docstring> addDepth(int depth, int ldepth)
 
 void writePlaintextParagraph(Buffer const & buf,
 		    Paragraph const & par,
-		    odocstream & os,
+		    odocstream & ods,
 		    OutputParams const & runparams,
-		    bool & ref_printed)
+		    bool & ref_printed, size_t max_length)
 {
 	int ltype = 0;
 	depth_type ltype_depth = 0;
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ void writePlaintextParagraph(Buffer const & buf,
 
 	string::size_type currlinelen = 0;
 
+	odocstringstream os;
 	os << docstring(depth * 2, ' ');
 	currlinelen += depth * 2;
 
@@ -184,6 +185,9 @@ void writePlaintextParagraph(Buffer const & buf,
 		if (par.isDeleted(i))
 			continue;
 
+		if (os.str().size() > max_length)
+			break;
+
 		char_type c = par.getUChar(buf.params(), i);
 
 		if (par.isInset(i) || c == ' ') {
@@ -202,7 +206,7 @@ void writePlaintextParagraph(Buffer const & buf,
 		if (par.isInset(i)) {
 			OutputParams rp = runparams;
 			rp.depth = par.params().depth();
-			int len = par.getInset(i)->plaintext(os, rp);
+			int len = par.getInset(i)->plaintext(os, rp, max_length);
 			if (len >= Inset::PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE)
 				currlinelen = len - Inset::PLAINTEXT_NEWLINE;
 			else
@@ -238,6 +242,7 @@ void writePlaintextParagraph(Buffer const & buf,
 		}
 		os << word;
 	}
+	ods << os.str();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/output_plaintext.h b/src/output_plaintext.h
index b047c9cf26..ebecc5ceba 100644
--- a/src/output_plaintext.h
+++ b/src/output_plaintext.h
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@
 #define OUTPUT_PLAINTEXT_H
 
 #include "support/strfwd.h"
+#include "support/types.h"
+
+#include <climits>
 
 
 namespace lyx {
@@ -36,7 +39,8 @@ void writePlaintextParagraph(Buffer const & buf,
 		    Paragraph const & paragraphs,
 		    odocstream & ofs,
 		    OutputParams const &,
-		    bool & ref_printed);
+		    bool & ref_printed,
+		    size_t max_length = INT_MAX);
 
 } // namespace lyx
 
diff --git a/src/support/docstream.h b/src/support/docstream.h
index b7e30409b3..6da05e36a8 100644
--- a/src/support/docstream.h
+++ b/src/support/docstream.h
@@ -80,9 +80,6 @@ public:
 /// UCS4 input stringstream
 typedef std::basic_istringstream<char_type> idocstringstream;
 
-/// UCS4 output stringstream
-typedef std::basic_ostringstream<char_type> odocstringstream;
-
 /// UCS4 output manipulator
 typedef odocstream & (*odocstream_manip)(odocstream &);
 
diff --git a/src/support/strfwd.h b/src/support/strfwd.h
index 069357ff9c..f1dcb0bca9 100644
--- a/src/support/strfwd.h
+++ b/src/support/strfwd.h
@@ -44,9 +44,11 @@ typedef basic_string<char, char_traits<char>, allocator<char> > string;
 
 template<class Char, class Traits> class basic_istream;
 template<class Char, class Traits> class basic_ostream;
+template<class Char, class Traits, class Allocator> class basic_ostringstream;
 
 typedef basic_istream<char, char_traits<char> > istream;
 typedef basic_ostream<char, char_traits<char> > ostream;
+typedef basic_ostringstream<char, char_traits<char>, allocator<char> > ostringstream;
 
 } // namepace std
 
@@ -63,6 +65,9 @@ typedef std::basic_istream<char_type, std::char_traits<char_type> > idocstream;
 /// Base class for UCS4 output streams
 typedef std::basic_ostream<char_type, std::char_traits<char_type> > odocstream;
 
+/// UCS4 output stringstream
+typedef std::basic_ostringstream<char_type, std::char_traits<char_type>, std::allocator<char_type> > odocstringstream;
+
 #if ! defined(USE_WCHAR_T)
 extern odocstream & operator<<(odocstream &, char);
 #endif