Summary

Use the Format Painter tool to copy and paste formatting in PowerPoint.

First, pick the item you want to copy formatting from.

Finally, grab the item you want to apply the selected formatting to.

Selected item on a PowerPoint slide

We’ll show you three methods for copying and pasting formatting for easier slideshow development.

Apply the Format Painter

The first method for copying and pasting formatting isusing the Format Painter.

This handy tool is available in other Office applications too, such as Word and Excel.

Format Painter button in the ribbon

Then, select that item.

Go to the Home tab and the Clipboard section of the ribbon.

go for the Format Painter button (a paintbrush).

Paint brush with cursor

You’ll see your cursor change to include a paintbrush.

grab the item you want to format like the first one.

It will update immediately with the same formatting.

Selected text and the Format Painter button in the ribbon

Again, you’ll see the paintbrush attached to your cursor.

Drag through the portion of text you want to apply the formatting to.

You’ll then see the text formatting automatically update.

Selected text and paint brush with the cursor

Apply the formatting to your slide element.

Then, select that item and pressCtrl+Shift+Con Windows orShift+Command+Con Mac.

Next, choose the element you want to format the same way and pressCtrl+Shift+Von Windows orShift+Command+Von Mac.

Format copied and pasted onto text

For specific text, do the same as using the Format Painter.

Format the text, drag your cursor through it, and then use the copy format keyboard shortcut.

Drag through thetext you want to formatthe same way, and then use the paste format keyboard shortcut.

More Commands in the Quick Access Toolbar menu

If so, we recommend adding the Pick Up and Apply Style buttons toyour Quick Access Toolbaror your ribbon.

This is convenient for pasting the formatting to several elements or those on other slides.

But you canadd them to a group in the ribbonif you prefer.

Adding the Pick Up Style and Apply Style buttons to the toolbar

snag the drop-down arrow on the right side of the Quick Access Toolbar to initiate the menu.

Pick “More Commands.”

Then, do the same for the Apply Style button.

Pick Up and Apply Style buttons in the Quick Access Toolbar

Select “OK” to keep your changes.

When you return to your slideshow, you’ll see these buttons in the Quick Access Toolbar.

Your items will then have matching formatting.

Selected item and the Pick Up Style button

For portions of text, use the buttons the same way.

Selected item and the Apply Style button