Tip #58 - Format Painter

100 Computer Tips in 100 Days

Tip #58 - Format Painter

Many programs have included a Format Painter in both the PC and Apple environment. The Format Painter allows you to copy the format from one place in your document and “paint” the format somewhere else in your document. Using the Format Painter saves you time and duplicated effort when you want to format your document consistently. Instead of having to manually apply the font, font effects, paragraph alignment, and other formatting to each new section heading, you can quickly copy all of the formatting attributes by using one button.

 

To use the Format Painter you need to start by selecting the correctly formatted text. How much you need to select depends on whether the formatting is a character format or a paragraph format. Character formats include font, color, size and style (bold, italic, etc.). Paragraph formatting refers to alignment, indentation, bullets, line spacing, borders, etc.

• To copy both paragraph attributes and character attributes (such as font and font effects), triple click on the formatted paragraph to select it.
• To copy only character attributes, double click on a formatted word.
• On the Home tab, Clipboard group, click Format Painter – once for one use, double click for unlimited uses.
• Select the text you want to apply the formatting to. Don’t forget you can triple click to select a paragraph, double click to select a word. The text takes on the attributes of the new formatting.
• When you're finished, press ESC or click the Format Painter button once.

Be sure to look for the Format Painter in your favorite programs. It save lots of time and makes the formatting in your document consistent.