[Melissa]

I am trying to format a document created by another person. I defined the
"Normal" style and then selected the text that I want to reformat in this
"Normal" style. When I did so, I was prompted with a message whether I want
to update the style or reapply the style. i selected the latter but I don't
see any changes done after I click "OK".

[Stefan Blom[_3_]]

If you are changing the text in a certain paragraph style by applying direct
formatting, and you want to change the style to match the new settings, then
you should choose to update the style; that way, the style definition will
change (and all paragraphs to which that style is applied will use the new
formatting).

On the other hand, if you are changing the style via Modify Style, you
shouldn't have to do anything: the text will update automatically. If it
doesn't, you may have to clear direct formatting from the text, for example
by selecting it and pressing Ctrl+Q (to clear paragraph formatting) and
Ctrl+SpaceBar (to clear font formatting).

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP



"Melissa" wrote in message
...
I am trying to format a document created by another person. I defined the
"Normal" style and then selected the text that I want to reformat in this
"Normal" style. When I did so, I was prompted with a message whether I
want
to update the style or reapply the style. i selected the latter but I
don't
see any changes done after I click "OK".

[Melissa]

Thanks Stefan for sharing the keyboard shortcuts for clearing paragraph and
font formatting.
Can you also explain why sometimes Word doesn't just allow me to change the
style when I select "Reapply style". Rather it requires me to clear
paragraph/font formatting first?

Most of the time, I can just select text, select style and click OK - and
the text will be updated accordingly. I don't have to clear existing
formatting...

"Stefan Blom" wrote:

If you are changing the text in a certain paragraph style by applying direct
formatting, and you want to change the style to match the new settings, then
you should choose to update the style; that way, the style definition will
change (and all paragraphs to which that style is applied will use the new
formatting).

On the other hand, if you are changing the style via Modify Style, you
shouldn't have to do anything: the text will update automatically. If it
doesn't, you may have to clear direct formatting from the text, for example
by selecting it and pressing Ctrl+Q (to clear paragraph formatting) and
Ctrl+SpaceBar (to clear font formatting).

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP



"Melissa" wrote in message
...
I am trying to format a document created by another person. I defined the
"Normal" style and then selected the text that I want to reformat in this
"Normal" style. When I did so, I was prompted with a message whether I
want
to update the style or reapply the style. i selected the latter but I
don't
see any changes done after I click "OK".

[Stefan Blom[_3_]]

If direct formatting has been applied to less than 50% of the paragraph,
Word assumes that you want to keep that formatting even if you apply or
reapply a style.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP



"Melissa" wrote in message
...
Thanks Stefan for sharing the keyboard shortcuts for clearing paragraph
and
font formatting.
Can you also explain why sometimes Word doesn't just allow me to change
the
style when I select "Reapply style". Rather it requires me to clear
paragraph/font formatting first?

Most of the time, I can just select text, select style and click OK - and
the text will be updated accordingly. I don't have to clear existing
formatting...

"Stefan Blom" wrote:

If you are changing the text in a certain paragraph style by applying
direct
formatting, and you want to change the style to match the new settings,
then
you should choose to update the style; that way, the style definition
will
change (and all paragraphs to which that style is applied will use the
new
formatting).

On the other hand, if you are changing the style via Modify Style, you
shouldn't have to do anything: the text will update automatically. If it
doesn't, you may have to clear direct formatting from the text, for
example
by selecting it and pressing Ctrl+Q (to clear paragraph formatting) and
Ctrl+SpaceBar (to clear font formatting).

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP



"Melissa" wrote in message
...
I am trying to format a document created by another person. I defined
the
"Normal" style and then selected the text that I want to reformat in
this
"Normal" style. When I did so, I was prompted with a message whether I
want
to update the style or reapply the style. i selected the latter but I
don't
see any changes done after I click "OK".