Quick Answer
To use styles and themes in a Word alternative, open your document in WPS Writer and apply Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, Title, or Normal from the Home tab Styles gallery. For custom styles, go to Home → Settings → Style and Format. For coordinated document colors, use Page Layout → Themes. For a designed starting layout, browse Apps → Templates or + → Document → Use Now. Microsoft Word desktop uses Home → Styles and Design → Themes instead. WPS opens Microsoft-compatible .docx files — verify style and theme formatting before sharing.
Key Facts
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| WPS primary path | Home tab → select text → choose Heading 1/2/3, Title, or Normal from the Styles gallery; click More to expand |
| Custom styles | Home → Settings → Style and Format — New Style, right-click to Modify or Delete |
| Clear Format | Style and Format → Clear Format restores default format and clears all format in the entire document |
| Batch style change | Ctrl+H → Replace → Format → Style in both Find what and Replace with to swap heading levels |
| Document themes | Page Layout tab → Themes drop-down with matching color cards for coordinated colors |
| Templates | Apps → Templates → Document (filter by theme) or + → Document → search → Use Now |
| Navigation | View → Content for TOC from heading levels; Section → Section Navigation Pane for chapter structure |
| Word desktop alternative | Home → Styles gallery and Design → Themes with preview on hover |
| Compatibility | WPS states 100% compatible with Microsoft Office file formats — verify styles and themes in target .docx |
| Platforms | WPS is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android; steps here focus on desktop Writer menus |
| Watch out | WPS Page Layout → Themes differs from Word Design → Themes; Clear Format affects the whole document |
Styles vs Themes vs Templates: What to Use When
Styles control how individual text blocks look — font, size, spacing, and heading level. In WPS Writer, apply built-in styles from the Home tab or manage custom styles through Style and Format.
Document themes apply coordinated colors (and related formatting) across the whole document. WPS Academy documents this through Page Layout → Themes with matching color cards — for example when designing a resume.
Templates are pre-designed documents you open as a starting point. WPS Academy documents browsing Apps → Templates → Document, filtering by theme, or searching via + → Document, then clicking Use Now.
Editorial check: WPS Page Layout → Themes and template library themes are not the same menu as Word desktop Design → Themes. WPS Academy in this run does not document Word-style Save Current Theme or Customize Colors/Fonts/Effects — verify the live UI before assuming parity.
Apply Heading and Paragraph Styles in WPS Writer (Home Tab)
WPS Academy documents applying heading styles from the Home tab:
Open a document in WPS Writer.
Select the text you want to format.
Click the Home tab.
Choose a style from the gallery — for example Heading 1 for a chapter title.
Click More if the style you need is not visible in the gallery.
WPS Academy notes a logic level for headings: Heading 1 is the chapter title and Heading 2 is the sub-title of the chapter. The Normal style is for body text. Title style auto-centers a book title.
After you set heading styles, WPS Writer can establish a Table of Contents according to heading levels — useful for reports, books, and long documents.
WPS Office is described as a free all-in-one suite to edit Word, Excel, and PPT per WPS Academy, so you can format documents in the same environment where you draft other office files.
Create, Modify, and Clear Styles (Home → Settings → Style and Format)
For deeper style control beyond the Home gallery, WPS Academy documents Style and Format:
Click Settings under the Home tab.
Choose Style and Format.
Select text in your document.
Apply a built-in style to titles or body text from the pane.
Create a new style
Click New Style in Style and Format. Newly created styles appear in the right pane. Right-click a style to Modify or Delete it.
Clear all formatting
Click Clear Format in Style and Format to restore the document to default format. WPS Academy notes this operation clears all format in the entire document — use it carefully on finished work.
Batch-Change Styles for Multiple Headings (Find and Replace)
When many headings need the same level change, WPS Academy documents a batch workflow:
Press Ctrl+H to open Replace.
In Find what, click Format → Style and select the current style (for example Heading 2).
In Replace with, click Format → Style and select the target style (for example Heading 4).
Run Replace All or step through matches.
This lets you retag several headings at once instead of clicking each paragraph individually.
Apply Document Themes in WPS Writer (Page Layout → Themes)
For coordinated document colors rather than per-paragraph styles:
Click the Page Layout tab.
Open the Themes drop-down button.
Point to or select a matching color card to apply coordinated colors to your document.
WPS Academy documents this workflow in resume design — themes change the overall color scheme while your heading structure stays in place.
Editorial check: This is WPS Page Layout → Themes, not Word Design → Themes. Do not assume identical theme customization menus between the two products without verifying on your files.
Use Templates for Theme-Like Document Design (Apps → Templates)
When you want a designed layout before applying your own styles:
Path 1 — Apps → Templates
Open WPS Office.
Go to Apps → Templates → Document.
Filter by theme on top or search keywords.
Click Use Now to apply the template.
Path 2 — Quick tab search
Click + in the top tab bar.
Choose Document.
Search template keywords in the search box.
Click Use Now to apply a designed layout.
Templates give you a styled starting point. You can still adjust individual styles through the Home tab or Style and Format after applying a template.
Navigate Styled Documents (View → Content and Section Navigation Pane)
Structured documents become easier to move through once heading styles are set:
Table of Contents from headings
After applying heading styles, WPS Writer establishes a Table of Contents according to heading levels. On the View tab, click Content to activate the navigation pane. Click a heading in the content pane to jump to that position in the document.
Section Navigation Pane
After applying styles, open the Section tab and click Section Navigation Pane to browse chapter-level structure and locate content in the left navigation pane.
Use these panes when editing long reports, manuals, or books where heading hierarchy matters.
How to Use Styles and Themes in Microsoft Word Desktop (Brief Alternative)
If you use Microsoft Word desktop instead of WPS Writer:
Apply styles
Select text.
Go to the Home tab.
Choose a style from the Styles gallery.
Click More if the style is not visible.
Apply themes
Go to Design → Themes.
Point to a theme to preview it.
Select the theme you want.
Modify or create styles
Right-click a style in the Styles gallery and choose Modify, or select formatted text and use Update [Style Name] to Match Selection — changes apply to all text using that style. To create a new style from formatted text, right-click the text → Styles → Create a Style, name it, and click OK.
Word for the web is a separate tier: Microsoft offers Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the web free with a Microsoft account and 5 GB OneDrive storage. Web Word may differ from desktop Home → Styles and Design → Themes — confirm before assuming parity with desktop Word.
When opening Word .docx files in WPS Writer, WPS states compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats. Verify heading styles, theme colors, and custom styles on your specific files before sharing.
FAQ
How do I apply Heading 1 in WPS Writer?
Open your document, select the text, click the Home tab, and choose Heading 1 from the Styles gallery. WPS Academy documents Heading 1 as the chapter title and Heading 2 as the sub-title.
What is the difference between styles and themes in WPS Writer?
Styles (Home tab or Style and Format) control individual paragraphs — headings, body text, titles. Themes (Page Layout → Themes) apply coordinated document colors through color cards. Templates (Apps → Templates or + → Document) provide a pre-designed starting layout.
Does WPS Writer have the same Design tab as Word?
No. Word desktop uses Design → Themes. WPS Writer uses Page Layout → Themes and a separate template library with theme filters. WPS Academy in this run does not document Word-style Save Current Theme or Customize Colors/Fonts/Effects in WPS.
What does Clear Format do in WPS Style and Format?
Clear Format restores the document to default format. WPS Academy states it clears all format in the entire document — not just the selected paragraph. Save a copy before using it on finished documents.
Will my styles survive when I open a Word .docx in WPS Writer?
WPS states compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats. Open your .docx, check heading levels, custom styles, and theme colors, then verify again before sharing. Complex Word theme customization may need testing on your specific file.
Can I batch-change heading styles in WPS Writer?
Yes. Press Ctrl+H, open Replace, set Format → Style in Find what for the current style and in Replace with for the target style, then run Replace All.
Does WPS Writer work for styles on mobile (Android or iOS)?
WPS is available on iOS and Android per WPS Academy. This guide's Home tab and Style and Format steps are sourced for desktop Writer. Mobile Styles behavior may differ — test on your device before relying on it.
Should I use WPS Writer or Word for styles and themes?
Editorial check: Choose WPS Writer if you want a free Word alternative with a Home Styles gallery, Style and Format pane, Page Layout Themes, and template library on desktop. Choose Word desktop if you need Design → Themes with Microsoft-documented theme customization workflows. Verify .docx compatibility on your files regardless of which tool you use.
Sources and Last Reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-07-01
