Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Using Copy and Paste for Formatting.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 9, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
In other issues of ExcelTips you learn how to use the Format Painter to quickly and easily copy formatting between cells. Despite how handy it is, there may be times when you don't want to use the Format Painter. For instance, the Format Painter may not be visible at the top of the screen and it would be a hassle to display it just to copy a format. In instances like this, you can use copying and pasting to copy formats to a different cell or cell range.
To copy formatting using this method, you use techniques traditionally used when editing the contents of your worksheet:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2768) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Using Copy and Paste for Formatting.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2019 For Dummies today!
Excel provides a variety of underlining styles you can use when you need to underline information within a cell. Here's ...
Discover MoreIf you want to reference cell colors external to your current workbook, there is no way to do it using Excel functions. ...
Discover MoreNeed to merge a bunch of cells together on a regular basis? You'll love the two macros in this tip which can make short ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2021-04-20 14:28:52
Mark Schweim
This method doesn't seem to work though on cells with mixed character formatting. I have a spreadsheet at work made by someone else with text not underlined and I need to select the underline format so the inserted data appears underlined like the rest of the details area. But although the underlining shows correctly on the first sheet, copying and pasting to the other worksheets results in the Date copied from the first sheet where it appeared underlined not being underlined on the sheet it was pasted into even when selecting to paste formatting.
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments