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 September 6Sep 6 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.

Great to know that.

On a positive note, I recreated the file and got Format Painter to work using Layout Tools. Then I returned to the original file and did some checking, and it appears what happened was that I had inadvertently turned off bold in the first field during Format Painter testing and didn't realize it. The text in the field was still bold, but the formatting of the field was not. Sometimes taking a different approach can help. I also got Format Painter to work in the inspector.

--

I still cannot find reference to using the Format Painter via Layout Tools in help.

When I search help on

Format Painter

… the following are returned:

"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. …"

Working with the layout tools", which leads to a page with "Working with the layout tools".

But when I click Format Painter, it opens a page that refers using it in the Inspector, not as a Layout Tools technique. The procedure is very similar, but it it ought to be listed separately, including the icon two-state behavior you uncovered the functionality for.

9 minutes ago, Bob2011 said:

I still cannot find reference to using the Format Painter via Layout Tools in help.

Both methods are covered on this page:
https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/copying-formatting-attributes.html

13 minutes ago, Bob2011 said:

the icon two-state behavior you uncovered the functionality for.

Actually, that's standard behavior for layout tools. You can see for example that if you select the Rectangle tool you can only draw a single rectangle before the Selection tool will become active again. But if you select it twice it will highlight and allow you to draw multiple rectangles in one go. My bad for not realizing the Format Painter tool also follows this pattern.

Anyway good to hear you got this sorted out.

7 minutes ago, comment said:

Both methods are covered on this page:
https://help.claris.com/en/pro-help/content/copying-formatting-attributes.html

I see you are correct about the Layout Tools also being described, however the page has top level (the largest bold and font size) formatted text of:

"Copying formatting attributes in layouts"

… which indicates clicking the Appearance tab is required for all techniques (i.e., including the use of Layout Tools) listed on the page:

"In Layout mode, in the Inspector, click the Appearance tab"

The part specific to Layout Tools:

"To use the Format Painter tool to apply formatting attributes between layout objects, parts, or backgrounds:"

… is subsumed under the part about needing to select the Appearance tab, the way I'm seeing it. If so, that section out to be 'brought up' one level of hierarchy to distinguish it from Inspector use. thanks

From what I see both methods have the same hierarchy level.

But if you're looking for someone to defend Claris help pages, I am definitely not the right choice....

Ideally, use styles to avoid local css.

On 9/7/2026 at 10:23 AM, comment said:

From what I see both methods have the same hierarchy level.

But if you're looking for someone to defend Claris help pages, I am definitely not the right choice....

After copying and pasting (and examine) relevant text from help, you are correct, that the hierarchy is indeed proper.