Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Renaming a Style.

Renaming a Style

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 8, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Word allows you to rename styles you have defined. You cannot, however, rename any of the predefined styles supplied with Word. To rename a style, follow these steps if you are using versions of Word prior to Word 2002:

  1. Select Style from the Format menu. You will see the Style dialog box.
  2. Select the style you want to rename from the Styles list.
  3. Click on Modify. Word displays the Modify Style dialog box.
  4. In the Name box, enter a new name for the style.
  5. Click on OK.
  6. To rename other styles, repeat steps 2 through 5.
  7. When you are done renaming styles, click on Close.

If you are using Word 2002 or Word 2003, you need to account for Microsoft's addition of the task pane. This means that the steps are slightly different:

  1. Select Styles and Formatting from the Format menu. Word displays the Styles and Formatting task pane.
  2. Scroll through the task pane until you see the style you want to rename.
  3. Hover your mouse pointer over the style name. You should see a drop-down arrow appear at the right side of the style name.
  4. Click the drop-down arrow and choose Modify. Word displays the Modify Style dialog box. (See Figure 1.)
  5. Figure 1. The Modify Style dialog box.

  6. In the Name box, enter a new name for the style.
  7. Click on OK.
  8. To rename other styles, repeat steps 2 through 6.
  9. When you are done renaming styles, dismiss the Styles and Formatting task pane.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (212) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Renaming a Style.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Printing Multiple Envelopes

Need to print envelopes quite often? An easy way to do it is to create an envelope template, as described in this tip.

Discover More

Protecting a Workbook from Opening in Other Programs

When working with sensitive information, you always need to be concerned that your data doesn't fall into unwanted hands. ...

Discover More

Understanding File System Formats

When you format a disk drive, you have the option to specify what file system should be used on that drive. There are ...

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (menu)

Style Names Can Affect Style Definitions

Most people think that you can name styles almost anything you want. You can, but there may be some unintended ...

Discover More

Preserving Style Formatting when Combining Documents

Insert one document into another and you may not get the results you expect. Here's why, along with what you can do about it.

Discover More

Printing a Full Style Sheet

Word supports the use of styles (they are very powerful), but it doesn't provide a way to get a full-featured style sheet ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 - 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.