The format painter shortcut key in Word is a pair: Ctrl + Shift + C copies the formatting of the selected text, while Ctrl + Shift + V pastes that look onto other text. Font, size, colour, bold and spacing all carry across, while the words themselves stay as they are.
The Format Painter button, a paint brush on the Home tab, does the same with the mouse. From the keyboard, Alt, H, F, P turns it on in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Quick facts
Copy formatting
Ctrl + Shift + CPaste formatting
Ctrl + Shift + VFormat Painter button
Alt, then H, then F, then PUse it many times
Double click the brushStop painting
EscMac Word
Command + Shift + C, Command + Shift + V
Format painter shortcut key in Word, step by step
- Click inside, or select, text that already has the look you want.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + C. Nothing seems to change; the formatting is now copied.
- Select the text that should get the same look.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + V. It changes to match.
You can keep pasting the same formatting onto more text with Ctrl + Shift + V until you copy a different format. It does not disturb the normal clipboard, so Ctrl + V still pastes text.
Format painter keys by program
| Program | Keys |
|---|---|
| Word | Ctrl + Shift + C then Ctrl + Shift + V |
| PowerPoint | Ctrl + Shift + C then Ctrl + Shift + V |
| Outlook email | Ctrl + Shift + C then Ctrl + Shift + V |
| Excel | Alt, then H, then F, then P, then click the target |
| Any Office app, button | Alt, then H, then F, then P |
| Word for Mac | Command + Shift + C then Command + Shift + V |
Excel works differently; its methods are on the format painter in Excel page.
Using the Format Painter brush
Click text with the right look, then click the paint brush on the Home tab (or press Alt, H, F, P). The pointer turns into a brush; drag over the target text. A single click on the brush paints once. A double click keeps it on so you can paint several places; press Esc when you finish.
Paste formatting versus paste special
Format painting copies the look from one part of a document to another. Paste special and Keep Text Only do the opposite job: bring in new text without its outside formatting. Both are useful for tidy documents; see the paste special shortcut key. To remove formatting entirely, select the text and press Ctrl + Space in Word to reset the font to the style's default.
When the format painter shortcut does not work
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + V pastes text | In browsers that key pastes plain text; it copies formats only in Office |
| Paragraph spacing did not copy | Select the whole paragraph, including its mark, before copying |
| Brush turns off after one use | Double click the brush to keep it on |
| Keys switch keyboard language | Windows uses Ctrl + Shift for languages; change that hot key |
Frequently asked questions
What is the format painter shortcut key?
How do I use format painter more than once?
Double click the brush, or keep pressing Ctrl + Shift + V.
Does format painter copy text?
No. Only the formatting is copied.
Does Excel have the same format painter key?
No. In Excel, press Alt, H, F, P and click the target cells.
How do I stop format painter?
Press Esc.