How to Clear All Text Formatting in Word 2016: A Step-by-Step Guide

Clearing all text formatting in Word 2016 is a simple task that can be accomplished in just a few clicks. It’s perfect for when you want to reset your document’s formatting to its default state. Once you know how to do it, you’ll be able to clean up your documents in no time!

Step by Step Tutorial: Clear All Text Formatting in Word 2016

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand what we’re trying to accomplish. Clearing all text formatting means removing any styles, fonts, sizes, colors, and other formatting elements that have been applied to the text, so it goes back to the default Word settings.

Step 1: Select the Text

Click and drag your mouse over the text you want to clear formatting from or press Ctrl + A to select all text in the document.

Selecting the text is the first step because Word needs to know which part of the document you want to remove formatting from. If you don’t select any text, the clear formatting command won’t have any effect.

Step 2: Click the ‘Clear All Formatting’ Button

On the Home tab in the Ribbon, locate the ‘Styles’ group and click on the ‘Clear All Formatting’ button that looks like an eraser.

The ‘Clear All Formatting’ button is a quick tool in Word 2016 that removes all the formatting from the selected text and returns it to the default style. This is handy when you want to start over with your document’s styling or ensure consistency throughout.

After you complete the action, the selected text will revert to Word’s default font and size, typically Calibri, 11pt. Any bold, italics, underlining, colors, and other formatting will be removed, leaving you with plain text.

Tips for Clearing All Text Formatting in Word 2016

• If you only want to clear formatting from a part of your document, be sure to only select that specific text.
• Remember that ‘Clear All Formatting’ doesn’t remove hyperlinks. You will need to remove these separately.
• Use the ‘Clear All Formatting’ button when copying text from the web or another document to avoid bringing in unwanted formatting.
• Keep in mind that this will not affect any images or objects in your document, only text.
• If you change your mind, you can undo the action immediately by pressing Ctrl + Z.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the shortcut for ‘Clear All Formatting’ in Word 2016?

Unfortunately, there is no default keyboard shortcut for clearing all formatting in Word 2016. You’ll need to use the button on the Ribbon.

Will ‘Clear All Formatting’ remove bullet points and numbering?

Yes, using ‘Clear All Formatting’ will also remove any bullet points or numbering as these are considered part of text formatting.

Can I clear formatting from multiple sections at once?

Absolutely! Just hold down the Ctrl key and select the different sections of text you want to clear formatting from before hitting the ‘Clear All Formatting’ button.

What happens to the text if I clear formatting and then save the document?

The text will remain in the default formatting when you reopen the document. Clearing formatting and saving the document will make these changes permanent unless you undo them before saving.

Does ‘Clear All Formatting’ affect headers and footers?

Yes, it does. If the text in headers or footers is selected when you clear formatting, it will reset to the default like the rest of the document.

Summary

1. Select the text.
2. Click the ‘Clear All Formatting’ button.

Conclusion

Clearing text formatting in Word 2016 is a handy skill that every user should know. Whether you’re a student trying to tidy up an essay, a professional preparing a report, or just someone who likes their documents looking clean and uniform, this simple feature can save you tons of time and hassle. Remember, clear formatting is just one of the many tools Word offers to help you create beautiful, professional-looking documents with ease. So next time you find yourself grappling with mismatched fonts and rogue bolding, just remember: a couple of clicks is all it takes to clear all text formatting in Word 2016 and get back to a clean slate. Happy writing!