I'm trying to re-learn how Format Painter works. Many years ago, it worked for me, although I often struggled to remember the sequence of actions to make it work.

I'm want to be able to use the Format Painter in the Layout Tools, but can't get it to work the way I remember.

Many years ago (I could be wrong), I recall being able to go into Layout mode and use the Format Painter icon to copy the format of one field to another. (Even) in v. 19, I can select the Format Painter icon in Layout Tools without referring to the inspector, but can't achieve the copying and pasting of the format to t work. There are several possibilities: selecting field one, then selecting the Format Painter icon, then clicking field two (and maybe another permutation), but I've not been able to find the right sequence, if that is even possible.

Related, when clicking a field with Format Painter selected, is the 'hot spot' of the icon the arrow set to about clock 10:30, or is it the drop coming out of the painter dropper? In my testing, I've ruled out what the hotspot of the icon is be making my fields large enough for the entire icon, but I often have text fields one line high, and the hotspot may be significant in that case.

Here is what I've found:

In a new file, with two text fields.

Inspector, for field one (the one I want to paint to another field):

Appearance > Text > set to Bold

FMP 19 help says:

"Copying formatting attributes in layouts

To use the Inspector to apply formatting attributes and custom styles to other layout objects, parts, or backgrounds:

In Layout mode, in the Inspector, click the Appearance tab. Then:

To: Copy the formatting or custom style of all states of an object or the format or custom style applied to a layout part

Do this: Select the object, or part label, then click Copy button to the right of the object type list (at the top of the tab).

To: Paste formatting attributes

Do this: Select one or more objects and choose the display state to which you want to apply the copied formatting attributes. (You can choose a different display state from the one you copied.) Click Paste button to the right of the object state list.

I've tried that on the Style Edit Box area, but the font does not change to bold.

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by Bob2011
Entering important testing notes that I neglected to enter.

This is how it works for me:

Initial state:FieldA formatted as Bold is selected.

Option 1:

Click the Format Painter icon in the toolbar:

At this point the cursor will change to a pipette. Now click FieldB and it too will become Bold:

Option 2:

In the Appearance tab of the inspector click the top left pipette button:

Now select FieldB and click the top right pipette button:

Now again both fields have the same style.

Excellent help. For option 1, that's how I remember it working. Unfortunately, I'm not getting it t work. After selecting the source field, then choosing the Format Painter icon in Layout Tools, the background of the (square) surrounding the pipette turns slightly darker, and if I click it again, it turns solid blue. But with either state, no cigar. I'm guessing it's either operator error, or something about the text field type causing the problem. I've also tried option 2, no luck. I'm going to focus on method 1 for now. I'll report back later. thanks

13 minutes ago, Bob2011 said:

if I click it again, it turns solid blue.

Ah, I am learning something new too. What I see is that in this state the cursor remains in the pipette shape, allowing you to click several objects in series to paste the style to each in turn, until you press Escape.