Apply text and graphics formatting multiple times

Have you ever wanted to make several nonsequential words stand out by using a special font in your document? Or have you ever wanted to change certain solid lines to dotted lines in graphics created with the drawing tools? If you've ever wanted to apply the same format to items in different locations in a file, you might not realize how easy it is. Instead of clicking the Format Painter button on the Standard toolbar every time that you want to apply the new format, you can take advantage of the button's "sticky" feature.

1. Select the item whose format you would like to copy.
2. To copy the selected format to several items, double-click the Format Painter button. The button stays selected or "sticky."
3. Select the text or graphic where you want to apply the new format.
4. When you finish applying the format, click the Format Painter button again or press ESC.

Note   Applying text and graphics formatting multiple times does not work between programs. For example, you cannot apply formatting from Microsoft Word to Microsoft PowerPoint.

For more information, type format painter or copy formats in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab in the program's Help window, and then click Search. For related information, see Quickly copy formatting with the Format Painter in Office 2000 and Insert a Drawing Object Multiple Times in Office 2000.

Useful keyboard shortcuts

Do you find that using the keyboard is sometimes quicker than using your mouse? Keyboard shortcuts can help you bypass menus and carry out commands directly. You can use keyboard shortcuts in many ways with PhotoDraw, from accessing commands and toolbar buttons to showing or hiding a work pane. Keyboard shortcuts are sometimes listed next to the command name on PhotoDraw menus. For example, on the View menu, the Picture List command lists the shortcut F3.

For a comprehensive list of shortcuts, ask the Answer Wizard for help. In PhotoDraw, press F1 to display the Help window, and then type keyboard shortcuts in the What would you like to do? box on the Answer Wizard tab. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts.