How to copy the cell formats in Excel

You can watch a video tutorial here.

Excel provides several options for formatting a cell depending on the type of data in the cell i.e. number, text, date, and so on. Once a particular format has been applied to a cell, it is easy to copy it to another cell or a range of cells, without affecting the value of the cell.

Option 1 – Use the Format Painter tool

Step 1 – Copy and ‘paint’ the format

• Select the source cell 
• Go to File > Clipboard 
• Click on the Format Painter button
• Drag it over the destination range or cells (the cursor changes to a paintbrush)

Step 2 – Check the result

• Check that only the formatting has been copied

Option 2 – Use the Paste Special option

Step 1 – Copy the source

• Copy the source cell using Ctrl+C or right-click and select Copy from the context menu
• Select the destination
• Go to File > Clipboard > Paste
• Select Paste Special

Step 2 – Paste the formatting

• In the Paste Special window choose Formats
• Click OK

Step 3 – Check the result

• Check that only the formatting has been copied