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Format Painter in Excel

Excel Format Painter (Table of Contents)

Format Painter in Excel

Format Painter in Excel is used to change a string or cell content format with the same format of previously copied format. For example, if you want to change the format of a cell which has font size as 11 and font type in CALIBRI (Body) to font size 12 and font type as TIMES NEW ROMAN, then we will go to the cell whose format we want to paint in other cells, click on Format Painter option located in Home menu ribbon under Clipboard section. This copies the format of the selected cell. And to paste if, click on the cell whose format we need to change.

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Where is the Format painter option found in Excel?

Follow the below steps:

  • Go to the HOME tab.
  • The Format Painter option is available under the Clipboard section in the left side corner, as you can see in the below screenshot.

Format Painter Step

How to Use the Format Painter in Excel?

Let’s understand the working of excel format painter with some examples.

You can download this Format Painter Excel Template here – Format Painter Excel Template

Example #1

We have given some data:

Format Painter Example 1-1

We have done some formatting in the first column, as shown above, and now we want to apply the same formatting in other data.

For this, follow below steps:

  • Select the entire data of column A for which you want to copy and click on the Format Painter option as shown in the below screenshot.

Example 1-2

  • It will copy the entire formatting of column A and will convert the cursor into a paintbrush.
  • Then select the range of cells or columns where you want to apply the same formatting as the below screenshot.

Example 1-3

Example #2

Now take another example.

Format Painter Example 2-1

As we can see in the above screenshot, there is some formatting on dataset 1 from range cell A17:C22. The same formatting we want to apply on dataset 2 from cell range A25:C30.

  • Select the entire data from A17:C22 and click on Format Painter.

Example 2-2

  • It will copy the formatting and then select the entire dataset on which you want to apply. The result is shown below:

Example 2-3

Example #3

Let’s take another example.

Format Painter Example 3-1

We want to apply the same formatting like column A into column B. Apply the same process as select column A and click on Format Painter.

Example 3-2

The result is shown below:

Example 3-3

Shortcut key of Format Painter feature:

There is a shortcut key of Format Painter, Press keys ALT + H + F + P. Follow the below steps:

  • Select the range of cells or cell from which you want to copy the formatting and press this shortcut key.
  • Now you can apply this formatting to multiple cells or multiple times.

Things to Remember

  • The format painter only copies the formatting of the cell or range of cells. It doesn’t change the value in the cell.
  • With the Format painter option, you can change cell color, cell alignment, number formatting, border, etc.
  • You can also use the Format painter option with a conditional formatting feature.
  • When you want to use the format painter option on non-adjacent cells, then you need to double click on Format Painter.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Format Painter in Excel. Here we discuss how to use it along with practical examples and a downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

  1. Auto Format in Excel
  2. Excel Data Formatting
  3. Formatting Text in Excel
  4. VBA Format
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