Nuraida Kashmin
To copy formatting from one cell to another we can use Format Painter in Microsoft Excel for multiple cells. It’s an amazingly efficient and simple process to format the cells.
Practice Workbook
Download the following workbook and exercise.
6 Easy Ways to Use Format Painter for Multiple Cells in Excel
 1. One-Click Process to Use Format Painter in Excel
Format Painter saves a lot of time. Let’s say we have a worksheet containing two columns. One is with some fruit names and formats with different colors. Another one is with the color names of those fruits. Now we have to format the second column according to the first one.
STEPS:
- First, select the cells from where we want to Copy the formatting.
- Then go to the Home tab and click on the Format Painter.
- For clicking the Format Painter, the cursor turns into a Paintbrush.
- Now select the cells where we want to apply the format.
- Finally, it’s done and we can see the result.
Read more: How to Highlight Every Other Row in Excel
2. Double-Click Process to Reuse Format Painter Multiple Times in Excel
We don’t need to click the Format Painter option over and over again for multiple cells. Here is a dataset of Fruit with formatting. Now we need to use that pattern in multiple cells.
STEPS:
- First, select the designed cells from where we want to copy.
- Double-click the Format Painter option from the Home tab.
- Â A Paintbrush appears beside the cursor.
- Now we can select multiple cells where we want to apply the format.
- After finishing, press Esc from the keyboard, and we will get the final result.
 3. Format Painter to Clone Column Width in Excel
From this dataset, we are going to use Format Painter to copy column width.
STEPS:
- Select the whole column which we want to copy.
- Now go to the Home > Format Painter.
- Lastly, click on the column header where we want to apply the formatting and see the result.
Further Readings:
- How to Copy Formatting in Excel to Another Sheet (4 Ways)
- Repeat Formula Pattern in Excel (Easiest 8 ways)
- How to Copy Formatting in Excel (3 Processes)
 4. Shortcut Keys to Use Format painter in Excel
By using the keyboard shortcut we can format multiple cells. There are two ways to use keyboard shortcuts.
METHOD 1
- Select the formatted cells.
- To copy the cell to the Clipboard, press Ctrl+C.
- Then select the required cell.
- Press Shift+F10, S, R. The context menu will show up if we follow this order and select the option from that for formatting.
METHOD 2
- Select the formatted cells.
- Press Alt+H, F, P. This order takes us to the Format Painter.
- Now select the place where we want to copy the formatting.Â
5. Format Painter to Copy Conditional Formatting in Excel for Multiple Cells
We can copy Conditional Formatting for multiple cells. It saves a lot of time also.
Here I have a worksheet where we highlighted the Project’s amount greater than $2000.
If we will add a column, we can simply use Format painter for copying formatting.
STEPS:
- Select the cells that are already formatted by Conditional Formatting.
- Click the Format Painter from the Home tab.
- Then simply select the newly added column.
- Now we can see that it’s formatted as required.
 6. Quickly Format Shape by Format Painter in Excel
We can copy one shape’s formatting to another by using Format Painter. Let’s say we have to format the Right shape according to the Left one.
STEPS:
- Choose the Left shape and Click on the Format Painter from the Home tab.
- Then select the shape which we want to format.
- Finally, we can see that the Right shape is formatted like the Left one.
Conclusion
By using these methods, we can easily use format painter for multiple cells in Excel. There is a practice workbook added. Go ahead and give it a try. Feel free to ask anything or suggest any new methods.
