Word: Applying and Modifying Styles
Excel Reference Styles

Applying and Modifying Styles in Word

A style is a predefined combination of font style, color, and size that can be applied to any text in your document. Styles can help your documents achieve a more professional look and feel. You can also use styles to quickly change several things in your document at the same time.

Optional: Download our practice document.

Watch the video below to learn more about using styles in Word.

To apply a style:

  1. Select the text you want to format, or place your cursor at the beginning of the line.
    2. Excel Reference Styles
  2. In the Styles group on the Home tab, click the More drop-down arrow.
    3. Clicking the More button in the Styles group
  3. Select the desired style from the drop-down menu.
    4. Clicking the More button in the Styles group
  4. The text will appear in the selected style.
    5. Clicking the More button in the Styles group

To apply a style set:

Style sets allow you to format all elements in your document at once (titles, headings, and paragraphs) instead of modifying each element separately.

  1. From the Design tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Document Formatting group.
    2. Selecting a style set
  2. Choose the desired style set. The changes will apply to the entire document.
    3. Selecting a style set
  3. The selected style set will be applied to your entire document.
    4. Selecting a style set

To modify a style:

  1. In the Styles group on the Home tab, right-click the style you want to change and select Modify.
    2. Selecting a style set
  2. A dialog box will appear. Make the desired formatting changes, such as font style, size, and color. If you want, you can also change the name of the style. Click OK to save your changes.
    3. Selecting a style set
  3. The style will be modified.
    4. Selecting a style set
When you modify a style, every instance of that style in your document updates automatically!
Selecting a style set

To create a new style:

  1. Click the arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Styles group.
    2. Selecting a style set
  2. The Styles task pane will appear. Select the New Style button at the bottom.
    3. Selecting a style set
  3. Enter a name, choose your formatting, and click OK.
    4. Selecting a style set
  4. The new style will be applied to the currently selected text. It will also appear in the Styles group.
    5. Selecting a style set

Challenge!

  • Open our practice document.
  • On page 1, set "Shelbyfield Animal Rescue" to Title style.
  • Set "August Volunteer Update" to Heading 1.
  • Change the style set to Casual in the Design tab.
  • Modify the Normal style to Cambria, 14 pt.
    • Selecting a style set

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I use Styles instead of manual formatting?

Styles ensure consistency throughout your document. If you decide to change your heading color later, you only have to change the style once instead of updating every single heading manually.

Can I delete a style from the Styles gallery?

Yes. You can right-click a style in the gallery and select "Remove from Style Gallery." Note that this doesn't delete the style from the document, just hides it from the quick-access bar.

How do Styles help with Table of Contents?

Microsoft Word uses Heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) to automatically generate a Table of Contents. Without using these styles, Word won't know which text represents a chapter or section title.

What is the 'Normal' style?

The Normal style is the default style used for all body text in a new document. Most other styles are actually based on the Normal style, so changing it often affects the look of the entire document.

How do I clear all formatting from text?

You can select the text and click the "Clear All Formatting" button (the 'A' with an eraser) on the Home tab, or apply the "Normal" style to reset it.

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