How to use Format Painter to format more than one item or selection in Visio (287689)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2003
  • Microsoft Office Visio Standard 2003
  • Microsoft Visio 2002 Standard
  • Microsoft Visio 2002 Professional
  • Microsoft Visio Network Central
This article was previously published under Q287689
For a Microsoft Visio 2000 version of this article, see 287675.

SYMPTOMS

When you want to apply the formatting of an item (object, shape, or text) to several other items in Visio, you cannot apply (paste) the formatting to more than one item at a time. You must reselect the item that has the formatting, and click the Format Painter button each time you want to apply the formatting to a new item.

RESOLUTION

The Format Painter button copies the formatting from an item and applies it to a different item or group of items that you select. To use the Format Painter to copy the formatting to multiple selections, follow these steps:
  1. Click to select the item that has the formatting that you want to copy.
  2. On the Standard toolbar, double-click the Format Painter button. Then, click to select each item, or region select the items to which you want to apply the formatting.

    NOTE: Click the Format Painter button again when you are finished, or press ESC to turn off the Format Painter.

MORE INFORMATION

Use the appropriate method for your situation.

How to copy only text attributes from one shape to another

  1. Double-click the shape to select the text. Then, use either of the following methods:
    • To format text in a single shape, click the Format Painter button on the Standard toolbar.
    • To continue to format additional text as you click, double-click the Format Painter button on the Standard toolbar.
  2. Click the shape to which you want to copy the text attributes.

How to copy formatting from one shape to another

  1. Select the shape that has the formatting that you want to copy. Then, use either of the following methods:
    • To format a single shape, click the Format Painter button on the Standard toolbar.
    • To continue to format additional shapes as you click, double-click the Format Painter button on the Standard toolbar.
  2. Click the shape to which you want to copy the formatting.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/11/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB287689
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