Office Settings & Configuration

How to Search for a Style in Word for Mac Find and Replace

WPS Content Manager Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to search for specific text styles using Find and Replace in Word for Mac, but is unable to do so because the 'No Formatting' button is disabled.

How to Search for a Style in Word for Mac Find and Replace

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Searching for specific document formatting or styles using the Advanced Find and Replace tool.
Observed behavior: The 'No Formatting' button is disabled, and the expected style-search options do not appear by default in the dialog box.

Before you start

Ensure you are using the Advanced Find and Replace dialog, as the basic search bar does not display detailed formatting and style options.

Solution 1Recommended

Apply Style Criteria via the Format Menu

Use the Format dropdown in the Advanced Find and Replace menu to apply style criteria, which will subsequently activate the No Formatting button.

The 'No Formatting' button is often misunderstood. It is not a menu for selecting styles; rather, it is a tool used to clear active formatting searches. It will remain grayed out until a format or style is actually applied to the search box.

Open Advanced Find and Replace

In Word for Mac, go to the top menu and select Edit > Find > Advanced Find and Replace.

Activate the Search Field

Click inside the 'Find what' or 'Replace with' text box so the text cursor is active.

Choose the Style

Click the 'Format' button at the bottom of the dialog, select 'Style...' from the dropdown list, and pick the required style.

Clear Formatting (Optional)

Once the style criteria appear below the text field, the 'No Formatting' button will become active. You can click it later if you want to remove the search criteria.

Apply Style Criteria via the Format Menu

Understanding Formatting Criteria: The selected formatting criteria will be displayed directly below the 'Find what' or 'Replace with' field to confirm your active search filters.

Effortless Formatting Search

Search and Replace Styles Easily in WPS Writer

If you find Microsoft Word's search settings confusing, WPS Writer offers a highly intuitive Advanced Find and Replace interface to quickly locate and change document styles.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx file.
2. Open Find and Replace: Press Ctrl+H (or Cmd+H on Mac) to open the Find and Replace dialog.
3. Select Format Options: Click on the 'Format' button at the bottom of the dialog box and choose 'Style'.
4. Apply and Search: Select the exact style you wish to find or replace, and click 'Find Next' or 'Replace All'.

Clear, user-friendly Find and Replace dialog without confusing disabled buttons.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatting and custom styles.Lightweight, fast, and completely free for standard word processing tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'No Formatting' button grayed out in Word for Mac?

The 'No Formatting' button is designed to clear existing formatting rules from your search. It remains grayed out until you apply a specific format or style to the 'Find what' or 'Replace with' field.

How do I remove a style search in Find and Replace?

Click inside the search box that has the style applied (indicated by the descriptive text below the field), then click the newly activated 'No Formatting' button to clear it.

Does Find and Replace work for custom document styles?

Yes, both Word and WPS Office allow you to search for custom styles. When you select Format > Style in the Advanced Find and Replace dialog, your custom styles will appear in the list alongside the default ones.

Office App Problems