Microsoft Office 2007/2008: Formatting with the Painter (Win/Mac)

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
• Using the Format Painter: Multiple Applications

Using the Format Painter: One Application

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

1. Highlight the text containing the desired formatting
2. Windows: From the Home command tab, in the Clipboard group, click FORMAT PAINTER
   NOTE: The pointer changes shape to include a paintbrush.
   Macintosh: On the Standard toolbar, click FORMAT PAINTER
   NOTE: The pointer changes shape to include a bracket cursor with a plus symbol.
3. Highlight the desired text to be formatted
   OR
   Click the desired word 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.

1. Highlight the text containing the desired formatting
2. Windows: From the Home command tab, in the Clipboard group, double click FORMAT PAINTER
   NOTE: The pointer changes shape to include a paintbrush.
   Macintosh: On the Standard toolbar, click FORMAT PAINTER
   NOTE: The pointer changes shape to include a bracket cursor with a plus symbol.
   
3. Highlight the desired text to be formatted
   OR
   Click the desired word to be formatted
   The format you copied is applied to that text.
4. Repeat step 3 until all additional text is formatted
5. When finished, to turn off the Format Painter, press [Esc]
   OR
   Click FORMAT PAINTER

Make sure to let me know in the comments below or on our Facebook page how you've got with it or Do you have any questions