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: Resetting Character Formatting in a Macro.
One of the things that most people use macros for is to make short work of formatting. It takes a while to set up macros to handle formatting, but it saves time in the long run if you have a document of any length at all.
Word provides many different commands and functions that affect character formatting. One of those commands causes the character formatting of a text selection to be set to the default for your paragraph. This is the syntax for the Reset method, which is used if you are programming in VBA:
Selection.Font.Reset
As you can see, there is not much to this command. It simply and quickly resets character formatting. This macro code is equivalent to pressing Ctrl+Space Bar to reset character formatting manually.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (771) 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: Resetting Character Formatting in a Macro.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Need to rename a disk file from within a macro? You can do it using the Name command, described in this tip.
Discover MoreIf you need to quickly switch a text selection from one typeface to another, one way you can do it is with a macro. This ...
Discover MoreWhen configuring Word, you may want to add macros to either menus or toolbars. If you can't find your macros while doing ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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: 
Comments