How to Clear Formatting in Word
While Microsoft Word provides an array of formatting features for both text and images, you may decide that what you apply doesn’t work out. We’ll show you how to clear formatting in Word for both text and images.
How to Undo Formatting in Word
Before you review the “clear formatting” options below, you might easily revert text and image formatting using theUndo feature offered by Microsoft Office. This is handy if the most recent changes you make in your document are to either text or image formatting.
On both Windows and Mac, you can find theUndobutton in the Quick Access Toolbar at the top left of the Word window by default. With each button press, you’ll undo each previous action in order.
You can also select thearrownext to theUndobutton to see the actions or reverse several at once.
Alternatively, you can undo actions such as formatting using a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, useCtrl + Zand on Mac, useCommand + Z. The keyboard shortcut works just like the Undo button.
How to Clear Text Formatting in Word
If Undo isn’t the best option after you apply font formatting such as bold, italics, or color, you can use the clear formatting features in Word. When you remove the text formatting, your font returns to its default settings.
Open your document, select the text by dragging your cursor through it, and do one of the following:
You should then see your text return to thedefault font in Word.
How to Clear Image Formatting in Word
Maybe you’ve made changes to an image in a Word document and Undo isn’t convenient. You might haverotated a pictureto a different angle, added an artistic effect, orcropped an imageto focus on a certain portion. You can return an image to its original formatting and settings easily.
Open your document, select the image, and go to thePicture Formattab. Use thearrownext to theReset Picturebutton to view the menu and choose one of the options below.
As an example, in the screenshot below, we applied formatting and resized our image.
After we useReset Picture, the formatting is cleared, but the adjusted size remains.
Using our above example, here again, we format the image and resize it.
After usingReset Picture & Size, the image returns to both its original format and size.
If you want to return your text to the default settings or an image to its original state in Microsoft Word, it’s easy to do with these methods.
Now that you know how to clear formatting in Word, look athow to show document formatting marks in Microsoft Wordtoo.
Sandy Writtenhouse is a freelance technology writer and former Project, Department, and Program Manager. She turned her education, job experience, and love of technology into a full-time writing career. With all sorts of gadgets in her home and her hands, she seeks to help others make life easier through technology.Read Sandy’s Full Bio
Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.
HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use
Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
