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University of Wyoming

Microsoft Office
Format Painter

[pdf version]

Format painter is used to copy and paste formats within a document so it looks consistent.  It also saves time in formatting a document.  Format painter is available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Copy and Paste a Format Once

  1. Place the cursor in the text with the format to be copied.
  2. Single-click the Format Painter icon. See Figure 1.

Figure 1. Format Painter icon

Figure 1. Format Painter Icon
  1. The cursor changes to a paintbrush icon. Drag the icon across the text to be formatted.

Copy and Paste a Format Multiple Times

  1. Place the cursor in the text with the format to be copied.
  2. Double-click the Format Painter icon. See Figure 1.
  3. The cursor changes to a paintbrush icon. Drag the icon across the text to be formatted.

Ed.  04/2004

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Updated 09/15/2006