Weekly Computer Tip # 352
22 October 2011

Reuse formatting using the format painter shortcut (Office 2000 - 2010)

Back in June I dusted off an oldie but a goodie: the "format painter". It told you how to copy the text formatting from one area of a document and apply it to another area using the Format Painter button (see http://www.roem.co.uk/tip_343.html) following which one of the tip subscribers emailed this wonderful keyboard shortcut. (Thanks, Maarten!)

Here's how:

1. Select the text that has the formatting that you want to apply to other areas.
2. Press CTRL+SHIFT+C (to copy the formatting).
3. Select the text that you want to format and press CTRL+SHIFT+V (to paste the formatting).

As you may remember from one of the earlier tips: F4 repeats the last action you performed so to quickly apply the text format to another area, simply select the area and press F4.

By the way, I cannot get the format painter shortcut to work in Excel so you'll have to use your mouse or have another look at last week's tip and create a little macro. (See http://www.roem.co.uk/tip_351.html)

Until next week.

PS I’m committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don’t keep me a secret. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit. Alternatively, feel free to reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards.

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