Microsoft Office 2003

Formatting with the Painter

The typical copy and paste functions will copy text and all associated formatting; however, if you want to copy only the formatting, you can use the Format Painter. The Format Painter will format the destination text the same as the source text but will not copy or paste any actual text.

Using the Format Painter: One Application

This method allows you to apply formatting to one instance of contiguous text.

Highlight the text containing the desired formatting
On the Standard toolbar, click FORMAT PAINTER
The pointer changes shape to include a paintbrush or a plus sign ( + ) next to it.
NOTE: The FORMAT PAINTER button may not appear on your Standard toolbar. For information about adding buttons to toolbars, see Working with Toolbars.
Highlight the desired text to be formatted
The format you copied is applied to that text.

Using the Format Painter: Multiple Applications

This method allows you to apply formatting to non-contiguous text.

Highlight the text containing the desired formatting
On the Standard toolbar, double click FORMAT PAINTER
The pointer changes shape to include a paintbrush or a plus sign ( + ) next to it.
NOTE: The FORMAT PAINTER button may not appear on your Standard toolbar. For information about adding buttons to toolbars, see Working with Toolbars.
Highlight the desired text to be formatted
The format you copied is applied to that text.
Repeat step 3 until all additional text is formatted
When finished, to turn off the Format Painter, press [Esc]
OR
Click FORMAT PAINTER