How to Edit a Microsoft Word Style

You've completed a huge document, but then you realize that Garamond would be a better font choice. Don't despair; if you've used styles, the change is a snap. These instructions are for Word 97 and 2000 (for PC) and 98 (for Macintosh).

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word

Instructions

1. Go to the Format menu and select Style.

2. Select the style you want to change.

3. Click the Modify button.

4. Click the Format button and choose the area in which you want to edit the style - you'll probably be changing the Font and Paragraph attributes most often. (Font includes size and style, as well as typeface selection; paragraph includes text alignment and margins.)

5. If you want to make changes in additional areas, click the Format button again and choose another area.

6. Click OK to close the Modify box.

7. Click Apply in the original style box. The style will be changed for all occurrences in the document.

Tips & Warnings

• For a shortcut, make the changes you want to a paragraph that already uses the style. Then select the paragraph and choose the style name again from the style menu on the toolbar (next to the menu that displays the current font name). A box will appear asking whether you want to update the style or reapply it. Choose update to change all instances of the style to include the changes you just made. You can't change the Normal style this way, however.