Paste formats only in Excel

Paste formats only in Excel: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Alt+V, T, Enter (Mac: Cmd+C, Cmd+Ctrl+V, T, Enter)

Windows	`Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Alt+V, T, Enter`
Mac	`Cmd+C, Cmd+Ctrl+V, T, Enter`
Group	paste special

Practice this shortcut

Drill: Paste formats only. Pro drill. Twenty-five drills are free.

What it does and when to use it

Copy a cell or row that looks right, then Ctrl+Alt+V, T, Enter paints its formatting onto the destination without touching the values there. It replaces the Format Painter for keyboard users.

The common mistake

Pasting formats from a row with a number format onto a column of text, which then looks wrong when numbers are typed.

Related shortcuts

Paste transposed Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Alt+V, E, Enter
Paste values only Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Alt+V, V, Enter
The printable cheat sheet

Questions

How is this different from the Format Painter?

Same result, no mouse. Copy the source, select the destination, Ctrl+Alt+V, T, Enter.

Learn it by pressing it

Shortcutdrill gives you a task on a live sheet and a limit on key presses, so the shortcut has to become a reflex. Twenty-five drills are free; Pro unlocks all 80 for $9 a month, $29 a year, or $49 once.

Start the drill