Microsoft Knowledge Base

XL: Formats Not Copied When More Than One Format Used in Cell
Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
Article ID: Q106252
5.00 5.00c 7.00 7.00a | 5.00 5.00a 
WINDOWS               | MACINTOSH
kbusage

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, if you copy and paste a portion of text from a cell where different formats are applied to individual characters or words, the formatting will not be retained. However, if you copy the entire cell (select the cell and choose Copy from the Edit menu), the formatting will be retained.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel allows you to format text with more than one font style in a cell. However, this formatting is copied only if the entire cell is copied and you are not editing the cell when you copy it.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. In a new worksheet, type the following value into cell A1, (but do not press ENTER): 

          Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta

  2. Select the word Bravo and choose the Bold and Italic buttons on the Formatting toolbar.

  3. Press ENTER to accept the change to cell A1.

The word Bravo should appear in bold and italic letters.

  1. Select cell A1 and choose Copy from the Edit menu.

  2. Select cell A3.

  3. Choose Paste from the Edit menu.

Note that the text is pasted into cell A3 with its formatting intact.

  1. Select cell A1.

  2. Double-click the cell to edit directly in the cell.

  3. Select the the text string in the cell.

  4. From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

  5. Press ENTER to accept the change to cell A1.

  6. Select cell A5.

  7. Choose Paste from the Edit menu.

The text is pasted into cell A5, but the formatting is not retained.

REFERENCES

"User's Guide," version 5.0, Chapter 11, "Editing Within a Cell" and "Copying and Moving Cells," Chapter 12, "Formatting Fonts"

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Additional reference words: 5.00 7.00
Keywords : kbusage
Version : 5.00 5.00c 7.00 7.00a | 5.00 5.0
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.