Format Painter in PowerPoint

If you find yourself applying the same formatting over and over again, then you should familiarize yourself with the Format Painter tool. The Format Painter copies how text or objects are formatted and lets you apply that formatting elsewhere.

Apply Formats Once

1. Select a formatted text.
2. Click the Format Painter button.
   

   The formatting is copied to the painter tool. The cursor changes to a paintbrush to show that it is now in Format Painter mode.

3. Select the unformatted text.
   

The formatting is applied. The Format Painter then turns off, meaning, to apply the same format to more text, you have to repeat the whole process all over again.

You can also use the Format Painter to copy the formatting of objects, such as shapes, and apply that formatting to other objects.

Apply Formats Multiple Times

1. Select the formatted text.
2. Double-click the Format Painter button.
3. Repeatedly select the unformatted text.

   Just like before the text is reformatted. However, this time the Format Painter stays on, so you can continue selecting text to re-format.

4. Click the Format Painter button to turn it off.

   Press the Esc key to deactivate the Format Painter.