Copying Paragraph Formatting with the Mouse

Summary: One of the most helpful formatting tools in Word is the Format Painter. You can use it to copy formatting from one paragraph to another, without letting go of the mouse. This tip describes how to use the tool. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

Often it is beneficial to copy paragraph formatting from one place in your document to another. Word provides a quick way you can do this by using the mouse:

Select the paragraph whose formatting you want to copy.
Click on the Format Painter tool on the toolbar.
Using the mouse, select the paragraph you want formatted.

You can also copy the same format repeatedly by double clicking the Format Painter tool in step 2. You will then be able to apply the same formatting until you turn off format painting by clicking on the tool one more time, or by pressing Esc.

Tip #1119 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Copying Paragraph Formatting with the Mouse