When you use Clear Formatting, the most common questions are whether it deletes text, which formatting it removes, and what you can do after cleanup; this FAQ includes 3 common questions and a glossary.
FAQ
Does Clear Formatting delete the text content?
- Select the text that you want to process.
- Click Clear Formatting on the Home tab.
- Check the result. The text content remains in place because this feature removes formatting only.
What formatting does Clear Formatting remove?
- Select text that contains font, color, bold, or italic styling.
- Run Clear Formatting.
- Review the result. Common direct formatting is removed, and the text returns to the default Normal style.
Can you apply a new style after clearing formatting?
- Run Clear Formatting on the target text.
- Keep the text selected, or select it again.
- Apply a new font, size, color, or style from the Home tab.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clear Formatting | A command that removes direct formatting from selected text and returns the content to the default Normal style. |
| Normal style | The default body-text style used for regular paragraphs in a document. |
| Direct formatting | Local formatting applied directly to text, such as font, color, bold, or italic settings, rather than a full style definition. |