How to Transfer Styles Between Word Documents
If you’ve finished typing and formatting a Word document and later realize you need to apply the same styles to another document, you can easily transfer the styles to save time and maintain consistency. Here’s how to do it:
Prepare Your Word Documents
Before you start copying the styles, make sure Document 1 (the one with the styles you’ve modified) is ready, and have Document 2 open. Document 2 can be either a blank document where you’ll start new work or an existing one that you want to match styles with. Save both documents in your preferred location, then close Document 2 and keep Document 1 open.
How to Copy Styles
In Document 1, go to the Home tab on the ribbon and click the Styles Pane icon, or press Alt + Ctrl + Shift + S.
In the Manage Styles window that opens, click “Import/Export.”
Using the Organizer to Copy Styles
The Organizer will now open.
In the Organizer window, go to the Styles tab. On the left side, you’ll see the document you’re currently working on (Document 1 in this case), and on the right side, you’ll see a standard template file by default.
To display Document 2, click Close File under the template file on the right.
Now, “Close File” will change to “Open File.” Click “Open File.”
When your Open window appears, in the File Type drop-down box on the right, change the option to “All Files.” Locate Document 2 and click “Open.”
You will now see the Organizer open again, but this time, with Document 1 displayed on the left and Document 2 displayed on the right. We’re now ready to copy the styles across.
Copying Styles from Document 1 to Document 2
In the left-hand list, find the style you want to copy from Document 1 to Document 2. If you want to select multiple styles at once, click the first style, hold Ctrl, and then click the other styles you want to copy.
For example, if you’re using the Title, Normal, Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 styles in Document 1, select these styles to export to Document 2. Once you’ve made your selections, click Copy.
Overwriting Existing Styles in Document 2
A warning may appear asking if you want to overwrite the existing styles in Document 2. This happens because Document 2 already has styles with the same names as those you’re copying from Document 1. Since you do want to replace them, click Yes To All.
Finalizing the Style Transfer
Once you’re done, click Close, and if prompted, choose Save to save the changes to Document 2.
Next, save and close Document 1.
Now, open Document 2, and you’ll see that the styles have been successfully copied from Document 1.