How to Display Renamed Built-In Word Style Names Again
Question details
The user needs to locate and restore original built-in style names (such as Heading 1) that have been renamed and are no longer displaying under their default names in the styles list.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Document Formatting and Style Management
- Observed behavior
- Built-in styles do not appear under their original names in the Styles pane because they have been assigned alternate names (aliases), although the application still treats the original names as reserved.
Ensure your Styles pane is actively open and docked on your screen so you can easily access style options and modify aliases.
Display Original Names and Remove Style Aliases
Adjust the Styles pane options to show both the built-in name and its alias, then remove the alias to fully restore the original built-in style name.
When a built-in style is renamed, the original name isn't deleted; it becomes hidden behind an alias. By changing the pane settings, you can reveal the original name alongside the alias.
Click the dialog box launcher in the bottom right corner of the Styles group on the Home tab (or press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+S) to open the Styles pane, then click 'Options...' at the bottom.
In the Style Pane Options dialog, uncheck the box labeled 'Hide built-in name when alternate name exists' and click OK.
Scroll through your Styles pane. The renamed style will now display as 'Built-in Name, Alias' (for example, 'Heading 1, AAAA').
Right-click the style in the list and select 'Modify'. In the Name field at the top, delete the comma and the alternate name so only the built-in name remains, then click OK.
Clean Up Unused or Duplicate Styles
If your document is cluttered with custom or duplicated styles making built-in styles hard to find, cleaning them up can restore order to your Styles pane.
Easily Manage and Customize Document Styles with WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive Styles and Formatting pane, allowing you to seamlessly view, apply, modify, and restore built-in document styles without navigating complex hidden menus.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to format.
- 2. Access Styles and Formatting: Navigate to the Home tab and click the 'Styles and Formatting' icon to open the dedicated task pane on the right side of your screen.
- 3. Modify and Restore Styles: Right-click any style in the list to easily modify its properties, rename it, or update it to match your current document formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a style name show up with a comma, like 'Heading 1, CustomName'?
Names separated by commas in the Styles pane indicate a style alias. The first part is the original built-in name, and the text after the comma is the custom alternate name you or another user assigned to it.
What does it mean when a style says 'Heading 2 + Underline'?
This indicates that direct formatting (in this case, an underline) has been manually applied over the base 'Heading 2' style. It is not a completely separate style, but rather the original style with direct formatting overrides.
Can I create a brand new style using a built-in name?
No, built-in names like 'Heading 1' or 'Normal' are strictly reserved by the word processor. If you attempt to create a new style using these names, the software will usually prompt you to modify the existing built-in style instead.
