Copying field formats

[bmarks]

In 8.5, you could choose/highlight multiple fields. Then right click on one of the fields and choose format. All the fields would then end up with the same format settings (e.g. font, number format, etc.). I found this to be extremely useful for getting a consistent look.

I am now working with 9 and this no longer works. The formats stay the same on each field. It would be even more useful now as I am doing a lot of modifications of someone elses reports and when I add fields, it would be nice to do this so that my additions are the same as the current fields in the report.

I looked in tips and tricks and in some much older version there was a button to do a paste of formats only - but don't see it now.

Anyone now how to do this in version 9?

 

[BobSuruncle]

I think the format painter was introduced in v9.
Format one of the fields, and then click the format painter icon. While holding the ALT key, click on each of the fields in turn to apply the formatting.


Bob Suruncle

 

[bmarks]

I can't find an icon for Format Painter. I also looked in the menus and did a search in help - but can't find anything with that name. Am I just missing it, or maybe it was in a later version that it got introduced? (i.e. I'm in no man's land - after the removal of the way I was doing it in 8, but before the intro of the painter tool?)

 

[BobSuruncle]

I may be 1 version off.
It might have been v10 that introduced format painter.
Looks like you ARE in no-man's land


Bob Suruncle

 

[Madawc]

Right-click on a field. Is 'Format Painter' an option on the drop-down list?

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[bmarks]

The drop-down list does not include "Format Painter".

Also, if I choose more than one field then go into Format, a lot of the options (like Number formatting) are now greyed out - meaning that I can't change multiple fields to the same format in one shot.

Gotta tell ya - this is one thing I don't like about the change from 8.5 to 9. Unfortunately, this is for a client and this is the platform they are using.

Oh well, guess I'll have to do it the long way.