How to Use WPS Format Painter on Windows

Use Format Painter with 3 how-to topics, including using the ribbon, using keyboard shortcuts, and applying formatting repeatedly; choose a topic from the index and follow the entry path and steps.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Use Format Painter from the ribbon

Entry path: Select formatted text → top ribbon → Format Painter

1. Select a piece of text that already has the formatting you want.
2. Click Format Painter on the top ribbon.
3. The pointer changes to a brush-style cursor.
4. Drag across the target text that should receive the same formatting.
5. Release the mouse to apply the copied formatting.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The pointer enters Format Painter mode and the target text changes style.
• What you can do next: You can continue editing, save the file, or move on to another formatting task.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Clicking Format Painter before selecting the source text means there is no formatting to copy.
• Environment note: The target content must be editable.

2. Use Format Painter with keyboard shortcuts

Entry path: Select formatted text → Ctrl+Shift+C to copy formatting → select target text → Ctrl+Shift+V to paste formatting

1. Select text that already has the formatting you want to reuse.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+C to copy the formatting.
3. Select the target text.
4. Press Ctrl+Shift+V to paste the formatting.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The target text matches the source text in font, size, color, and other visible formatting.
• What you can do next: You can repeat the copy-format and paste-format workflow on other text.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Forgetting to select the target text before pasting formatting can make the action appear ineffective.
• Environment note: Use the shortcuts inside the active document editing area.

3. Apply Format Painter repeatedly

Entry path: Select formatted text → double-click Format Painter → apply it to multiple places

1. Select text that already has the formatting you want.
2. Double-click Format Painter on the top ribbon.
3. Drag across each target text selection that should receive the same formatting.
4. Press Esc, or click Format Painter again, to leave repeated-use mode.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: Format Painter stays active so you can apply the same formatting to multiple selections.
• What you can do next: After exiting, you can return to normal editing.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: A single click applies formatting only once and then exits automatically.
• Environment note: Exit repeated-use mode after batch formatting to avoid applying it to the wrong text by mistake.