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Q. I often use Adobe InDesign CS4’s Eyedropper tool to copy the color of one element and apply it to another. I've heard that the Eyedropper can be used for type formatting as well. How does that work?

A. You're right! You can use this timesaving tool for a lot more than copying color and other graphic attributes. The Eyedropper tool’s text capabilities comes in handy for font and style explorations, as well as for short bits of repeated type styling that don’t warrant style sheets.

The Eyedropper tool gives you a fast and convenient way to copy text formatting, such as font, size, leading, alignment, kerning and tracking. You can also copy tabs, indents, bullet styles, and a lot more. It even works document to document!

There are several ways to achieve this, but here's my preferred way to format anything less than an entire paragraph:

1. Double-click on the Eyedropper tool to open the Eyedropper Options dialog box, as shown below.

2. Click on the black inverted triangles to view all options, then select your desired attributes (or deselect all unwanted attributes, as all are selected by default).

3. Using the text tool (T), select the text to be formatted.

4. Switch to the Eyedropper tool (I) and click on the text with the attributes you want to copy. The Eyedropper will then change angles and switch from white to partially black as it sucks up the formatting, which will then be applied to your previously selected text.

To format an entire paragraph or text block, you can try this:

1. Using the Eyedropper tool (I) click on the text whose attributes are to be copied.

2. Click the Eyedropper on the text to be formatted.

NOTE: To clear the Eyedropper's formatting attributes, press Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) while the Eyedropper tool is loaded. It will then reverse direction and appear empty.

This trick isn't limited to InDesign. Illustrator’s Eyedropper options, shown below, differ from InDesign’s, but do include text and paragraph attributes.

Love type? Want to know more? Ilene Strizver conducts her acclaimed Gourmet Typography workshops internationally. For more information on attending one or bringing it to your company, organization, or school, go to her site, call The Type Studio at 203-227-5929, or email Ilene at info@thetypestudio.com. Sign up for her e-newsletter at www.thetypestudio.com.