Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Alt+Ctrl+C Format Painter Shortcuts Not Working in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to use the standard Alt+Ctrl+C and Alt+Ctrl+V shortcuts for the Format Painter in the desktop version of Microsoft Word 365.

Product: Microsoft Word 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Copying and pasting text formatting using keyboard shortcuts.
Observed behavior: The Alt+Ctrl+C and Alt+Ctrl+V shortcuts fail to copy or paste formatting as described in standard documentation.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Word 365 is updated to the latest version, as shortcut behaviors can vary depending on recent Office updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Updated Format Painter Shortcut Keys

Microsoft Word has updated the standard Format Painter shortcuts in recent versions. Using the newly assigned keys usually resolves the issue.

In the current versions of Word for Microsoft 365, the default shortcut key combinations for copying and pasting formatting have been slightly adjusted.

Select the formatted text

Highlight the text that contains the specific formatting you want to copy.

Copy the formatting

Press Ctrl+Alt+C on your keyboard to copy the formatting attributes.

Paste the formatting

Select the target text that needs to be changed and press Ctrl+Alt+V to apply the copied formatting.

Check Your Version: If you are unsure of your Office version, you can verify it by navigating to File > Account in the Word application.

Solution 2

Revert to Legacy Format Painter Shortcuts

If the Ctrl+Alt shortcuts do not work on your specific build, the older legacy shortcuts may still be active on your system.

Use Format Painter Effortlessly

Easily Copy and Paste Formatting with WPS Writer

WPS Office offers a highly compatible and user-friendly alternative for document processing. You can effortlessly copy and paste formatting using intuitive tools and familiar keyboard shortcuts.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx or .doc file.
2. Use the Format Painter button: Select the text with the desired formatting, then click the 'Format Painter' icon located on the Home tab.
3. Apply to target text: Click and drag over the text you want to format to instantly apply the copied styles.

Familiar Format Painter tool for quick and easy document styling.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and shortcuts.Lightweight software with smooth performance on various operating systems.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Format Painter shortcuts stop working in Word?

Microsoft occasionally updates keyboard shortcuts in newer versions of Microsoft 365 to prevent conflicts with other system functions. The older Alt+Ctrl+C shortcut may have been replaced by Ctrl+Alt+C or Ctrl+Shift+C depending on your current update channel.

Can I customize the Format Painter shortcuts in Word?

Yes, you can customize keyboard shortcuts by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then clicking 'Customize' next to Keyboard shortcuts. Locate the 'CopyFormat' and 'PasteFormat' commands to assign your preferred keys.

How do I keep the Format Painter active for multiple uses?

To apply the same formatting to multiple different areas of your document, double-click the Format Painter icon on the Home tab. It will remain active until you click the icon again or press the Esc key on your keyboard.

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