How to copy paragraph or numbering format without changing the text format

Word 2016
The simplest way to copy format from one character, word, paragraph, or another element in Microsoft Word, is to use the Format Painter button (on the Home tab, in the Clipboard group) or to use shortcuts (see How to copy format easy and quickly). But there is some trick how to copy font, indentation, etc. for elements such as paragraph or numbering and keep existing formatting inside the text.

If you have a text with different formatting in it and would like to copy the paragraph or numbering format, you need to:

   1.   Select the paragraph or numbering with the formatting you want to copy:

Formatted text in Word 365

   2.   On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click the Format Painter button (or press Ctrl+Shift+C):

Format Painter in Word 365

   3.   Just click anywhere in the paragraph that needs to be changed (if you have used shortcuts, click anywhere in the paragraph and then click Ctrl+Shift+V):

Format Painter in Word 365

Note: more details are available in the Copy and clear formatting section in the Format the document lesson of the Create basic documents free course.

See also this tip in French: Comment copier un format de paragraphe ou de numérotation sans changer le format du texte.

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How to copy format easy and quickly

How to copy format easy and quickly

The simplest way to copy format from one character, word, paragraph, or other elements in Microsoft Word, is to use the Format Painter button (on the Home tab, in the Clipboard group). Still, with keyboard shortcuts, it is faster.
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