Default Value Text Variables in Storyline issue

Hi, I'm trying to create the ability for learners to be able to copy and paste from a "Sticky note" i've created in a layer into a text field to simulate what they would do in real life.

To create this functionality I've created a shape and placed a text box on it. I created a text variable and pasted in the note I want them to use into the default variable section. It took a while for me to get this to work as it kept cutting off text unless it followed on from the previous line.

First off, the variable didn't like if there was any paragraphs included, secondly once I had got it into storyline, trying to reference in via > Insert > Insert Reference it then pastes the variable a number of times up until the point where storyline crashes. I've asked a colleague to test this on a blank storyline and he's having the same issue. Any default variable with more than 1 line creates multiple references and ultimately leads to Storyline crashing. How do I get this fixed? 

Is there a workaround in the meantime that doesn't involve code?