How to use Format Painter in Excel

Last Updated: September 05, 2023
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- Written by Puneet

I can’t calculate how many hours I have saved since I discovered “Format Painter”. Yes, that’s right.

The thing is: While working in Excel, it happens sometimes that you want to copy formatting from one cell (or range) to another.

Format Painter is here for you. Let’s say from cell A1 (which has a specific font style, background color) you want to copy that formatting to B1). Well, all you need is a One-Click.

Note: It’s one of those Excel Tips and Tricks that can help to get better at Basic Excel Skills.

Where’s the Format Painter Button?

It’s there on your Home Tab. If you look at the clipboard section (Left Side) of your Home Tab, you can find it.

format painter button home tab

How it Works

  1. When you select a cell or range and click on the format painter button it copies formatting.
  2. After that, when you select another cell or range it pastes formatting there.

How to use Format Painter

As I said, it’s a one-click process.

use format painter excel

  1. First of all, select the range or cell from where you want to copy the formatting.
  2. After that, click on the format painter button.
  3. Once you click on the button, your cursor will convert into a paintbrush.
  4. Now, select the range on which you want to apply formatting.

It’s done.

Can I use Keyboard Shortcut?

Yes, you can use the Alt + H + F +P for the format painter. Just select the range or cell from which you want to copy the format and use the shortcut key.

Apply Formatting Multiple Times

Yes, you can use it to paste formatting multiple times.

use format painter multiple times excel
  1. First of all, select the range from where you want to copy formatting.
  2. After that go to Home Tab → Clipboard → Format Painter.
  3. Now, double-click on the format painter button.
  4. From here, you can paste the formatting multiple times.

Bonus Tip: Copy Column Width using Format Painter

format painter apply column width excel
  1. First of all, select the entire column from where you want to copy the column width.
  2. After that, click on the format painter button.
  3. Click on the column header of the destination column.

Did you know about this option before reading this post?

Please share your views with me in the comment section. I’d love to hear from you and please don’t forget to share it with your friends, I am sure they will appreciate it.

5 thoughts on “How to use Format Painter in Excel”

  1. Sir, 20th July,2020.
    How can you do so easily ? from my point of view, it is very
    hard and time consuming work, But….. now came to know efforts can motivate to proceed further.
    But student like me ( I am proud to note that I am 73 years old.) will like to learn more and more.
    Thanking you very much and eagerly await more and more notes from you in future too.
    Kanhaiyalal Newaskar.

    Reply
  2. Shortcut without using mouse: –

    Copy cell then select cells which you want to change the format then press CTRL and ALT then press V select format and enter.

    Reply
  3. Thanks very much
    I have learned a lot from you
    I’m trying to read much to days and trying to write codes myself
    Thanks again and always

    Reply

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