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 Paragraph Formatting.
If you are using styles in your documents, you can reset a paragraph to the default settings (according to the assigned style) by positioning the insertion point anywhere within the paragraph and pressing Ctrl+Q.
If you are creating macros you can achieve the same effect by using the Selection.Paragraphs.Reset method. This command counteracts the effects of any alignment, spacing, tabs, indentation, or pagination that was done manually to the paragraph. The method returns the current paragraph (the one that is selected or where the insertion point is located) to the default paragraph specifications based on the style assigned to the paragraph.
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 (1064) 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 Paragraph Formatting.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
Need to easily adjust the vertical spacing that follows a paragraph? You can do it using dialog boxes or you can create ...
Discover MoreWant to quickly format a paragraph to remove any extra space before it? Word includes a tool that can make this change a ...
Discover MoreWhen formatting your document, you often have need to indent paragraphs. If you later want to decrease the indent used on ...
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 © 2026 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