
The Format Painter tool in Microsoft Word allows users to copy formatting from one place to another within a document. The default keyboard shortcut for copying formatting is Ctrl+Shift+C, and the shortcut for pasting is Ctrl+Shift+V. However, Microsoft changed the Format Painter shortcut to Alt+Ctrl+C for copying and Alt+Ctrl+V for pasting, to align with other Microsoft products. If you want to change the keyboard shortcuts, you can do so by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then hitting the Customize button after selecting the appropriate tab.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Default shortcut to copy format | Ctrl+Shift+C |
| Default shortcut to paste format | Ctrl+Shift+V |
| Alternative shortcut to copy format | Alt+Ctrl+C |
| Alternative shortcut to paste format | Alt+Ctrl+V |
| Shortcut to stop formatting | Esc |
| Steps to change the shortcut key | 1. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Customize button. 2. Select the appropriate tab. 3. Go to Keyboard shortcuts > all commands. 4. Set the shortcut key separately for CopyFormat and PasteFormat. |
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What You'll Learn

Reset all shortcuts
Resetting all shortcuts in Word is a straightforward process, but it is important to note that this action cannot be undone. This means that all custom keyboard shortcuts will be removed, and any default shortcuts that had been changed will return to their initial settings.
To reset all shortcuts, first go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Then, at the bottom of the 'Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts' pane, select 'Customize'. Next, select 'Reset All' at the bottom of the 'Customize Keyboard' dialog box. This will restore all keyboard shortcut assignments to their original settings.
If you are unsure about removing all your custom shortcuts, you can review the customizations you have made and decide whether to keep any of them. If in doubt, it is recommended to reassign keystrokes and command keys individually.
Additionally, if you are experiencing issues with specific shortcuts not working, it may be helpful to check if the problem is isolated to a particular document. Some users have reported that the issue occurred after opening an old Word document, and in such cases, reinstalling Microsoft Office or performing a clean install of Office 365 may resolve the problem.
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Reinstall MS/Office 365
To change the Format Painter shortcut key in Word, follow these steps:
- Go to "File".
- Select "Options".
- Choose "Customize Ribbon".
- Hit the "Customize" button after selecting the appropriate tab.
- Navigate to Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Select "All Commands".
- Set the shortcut key separately for "CopyFormat" and "PasteFormat".
Additionally, you can use "Alt + Ctrl + C" to copy a format and "Alt + Ctrl + V" to paste a format.
Now, for reinstalling MS/Office 365, here are the detailed steps:
First, ensure that your PC or Mac meets the system requirements. If you're reinstalling due to issues with your Format Painter shortcut, consider that reinstalling may not fix the problem, and you may need to reset all your shortcuts or reinstall Office 365 specifically. If you decide to proceed with reinstalling MS/Office 365, follow these steps:
- Go to office.com/setup.
- Sign in with an existing or new Microsoft account.
- Enter your product key to redeem it. This associates your Microsoft 365 or Office license with your account.
- If you're renewing with a new product key, use the same Microsoft account associated with your previous subscription.
- After redeeming your key, you can reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office by signing in and downloading the software.
- If you're switching from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version or vice versa, you'll need to uninstall Microsoft 365 first, then sign in again to select the desired version.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation and activation process.
Remember to sign in with the same account you used to redeem your product key. If you obtained Microsoft 365 through a workplace discount program or volume license, the installation steps may vary.
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Use Alt+Ctrl+C to copy a format
The Format Painter in Microsoft Word lets you quickly apply the same formatting, such as font style and colour, to selected text. To copy a format, you can use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Ctrl+C. This is a default shortcut in Word. However, you can also customize your keyboard shortcuts in Word.
To change the Format Painter shortcut key, go to File, then Options, and select Customize Ribbon. After hitting the Customize button, you can set a new shortcut key for CopyFormat and PasteFormat separately. This will allow you to define your own shortcut key for copying and pasting formats.
It is worth noting that Microsoft changed the Format Painter shortcut from Ctrl+Shift+C/V to Alt+Ctrl+C/V to maintain consistency with other Microsoft products. If you prefer the old shortcut, you can try resetting all shortcuts or reinstalling MS/Office 365 to see if that resolves the issue.
Additionally, if you are using an older version of Word, such as Word 2007, you might encounter template conflicts that affect your keyboard shortcuts. In such cases, you may need to delete any conflicting config files or reinstall Office 365 to ensure smooth functionality.
By utilizing the Alt+Ctrl+C shortcut and customizing your keyboard shortcuts, you can efficiently copy and manage formats in Microsoft Word.
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Use Alt+Ctrl+V to paste a format
Copying and pasting formats in Word can be done using the Format Painter tool. The default keyboard shortcut for copying a format is Alt+Ctrl+C, and for pasting a format, it is Alt+Ctrl+V. This shortcut works in Word and other Microsoft Office programs. However, it is important to note that this shortcut may not work if there are updates or conflicts with older versions of Word.
To paste a format using Alt+Ctrl+V, simply copy the desired format by selecting the text or object with the format you want to copy. Then, press Alt+Ctrl+C to copy the format. Next, place your cursor where you want to paste the format and press Alt+Ctrl+V. The format will be applied to the selected text or object.
Using the Format Painter tool with the Alt+Ctrl+V shortcut can be especially useful when you need to apply the same formatting to multiple areas in your document. Once you've copied the format with Alt+Ctrl+C, you can repeatedly select different areas of text or objects and press Alt+Ctrl+V to paste the format without having to re-copy. To stop formatting, simply press the Esc key.
It is worth noting that the Format Painter shortcut has changed in recent versions of Word. Previously, the shortcut was Ctrl+Shift+C/V, but Microsoft changed it to be consistent with other Microsoft products. If you prefer the old shortcut, you can change it back by going to "File," then "Options," then "Customize Ribbon," and hitting the "Customize" button after selecting the appropriate tab. From there, you can set the shortcut key separately for "CopyFormat" and "PasteFormat."
Additionally, there are other keyboard shortcuts related to pasting formats that you may find useful. For example, Ctrl+Shift+V will paste text without any formatting, and Ctrl+Alt+V will open the "Paste Special" dialog box, allowing you to paste in various formats, such as unformatted text, or even transpose data and convert graphics to JPEG or PNG images.
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Go to File, Options, Customize Ribbon, and hit the Customize button
To change the format painter shortcut key in MS Word, you can start by going to File, Options, Customize Ribbon, and hitting the Customize button. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Step 1: Go to File > Options
Open your Microsoft Word application. From the File menu, select Options at the bottom. This will open the Word Options window, where you can customize various settings.
Step 2: Select "Customize Ribbon"
In the Word Options window, look for the "Customize Ribbon" option. This is where you can personalize your ribbon and toolbar settings, including keyboard shortcuts. Click on "Customize Ribbon" to expand the section.
Step 3: Click on "Customize"
Once you've selected "Customize Ribbon," you'll see a new window or pane with customization options. Click on the "Customize" button located within this section. This will open up further customization settings.
Step 4: Select the Appropriate Tab
In the customization window, you'll find different tabs such as "Keyboard Shortcuts" or "All Commands." Select the appropriate tab that relates to your desired changes. For example, if you want to change the format painter shortcut, look for a tab related to keyboard shortcuts.
Step 5: Make Your Changes
With the appropriate tab selected, you can now modify your shortcut key preferences. Find the specific command or action you want to change the shortcut for, such as "Format Painter - Copy Format" or "Format Painter - Paste Format." You can then assign new shortcut keys by selecting "Press new shortcut key" and entering your desired key combination.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
After making your desired changes, don't forget to save them. Click "OK" or "Save" to ensure your new shortcut key settings are applied. You may need to restart Word for the changes to take effect fully.
By following these steps, you can easily change the format painter shortcut key in Word by accessing the "File," "Options," "Customize Ribbon," and "Customize" sections. This allows you to personalize your keyboard shortcuts to suit your preferences and improve your efficiency when using Microsoft Word.
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Frequently asked questions
You can change the keyboard shortcuts by going to File, Options, Customize Ribbon, and hitting the Customize button after selecting the appropriate tab.
The default shortcut keys for Format Painter in Microsoft Word are Ctrl+Shift+C to copy a format and Ctrl+Shift+V to paste a format.
Some other keyboard shortcuts for Format Painter in Word are Alt+Ctrl+C to copy a format and Alt+Ctrl+V to paste a format. Another shortcut is Ctrl+Y, which repeats the last action performed.

























