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To quickly copy all formatting from one selection of text in a Word document and apply it to another, use the format painting option.

  1. In your document, select some text that already has the formatting you want to copy.

    Select formatted text

  2. On the Home tab, click Copy formatting from one location and apply it to another.

    On the Home tab, the Copy formatting from one location and apply it to another option is highlighted.

  3. Drag across the text that you want to apply the formatting to.

    Drag across text

Hints

  • To copy paragraph formatting instead of character formatting, be sure to include the paragraph mark at the end of the paragraph. To see where the paragraph marks are located in your document, on the Home tab, click Show Editing Marks.

    On the Home tab, Show Editing Marks is highlighted

  • To copy the same formatting to multiple selections, double-click Copy formatting from one location and apply it to another. You can then apply formatting until you press ESC to cancel.

  • To use keyboards shortcuts to copy formatting, press + SHIFT + C to copy the formatting, select the text that you want to apply the formatting to, and then press + SHIFT + V to paste the formatting.

  1. Select some text that already has the formatting that you want to copy.

    Select formatted text

  2. On the Standard toolbar, click Copy formatting from one location and apply it to another.

    Click Format

  3. Drag across the text that you want to apply the formatting to.

    Drag across text

Hints

  • To copy paragraph formatting instead of character formatting, be sure to include the paragraph mark   Paragraph mark at the end of the paragraph. To see where the paragraph marks are located in your document, on the Standard toolbar, click Show all nonprinting characters  Show button.

  • To copy the same formatting to multiple selections, double-click Copy formatting from one location and apply it to another  . You can then apply formatting until you press ESC .

  • The Format Painter is not available in focus view. If you are using Office 2011 (version 14.1 or earlier), focus view is called full screen view.

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