Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 28, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016
Robert knows how to create and modify styles. He's wondering, though, how to change what is shown in Word's style gallery. For instance, he wonders how to add his own styles to it or rearrange the order in which styles appear in the gallery.
Changing what appears in style gallery is easier than it first appears. Once you create your own styles, you can add them to the style gallery by following these steps:
That's it; the style should now be accessible through the style gallery. You could also, if desired, control the style's presence in the style gallery by following these steps:
Figure 1. The Modify Style dialog box.
You may have gathered from these steps that you can remove a style from the gallery by simply clearing the Add to the Styles Gallery check box (step 6). This is correct, but there is an easier way to do so. All you need to do is to right-click a style within the actual style gallery. From the resulting Context menu, choose the Remove from Style Gallery option and the style is immediately removed.
Ordering styles in the style gallery is a bit more convoluted, and Microsoft certainly doesn't make the process readily apparent. Follow these steps to order the styles you previously added to the style gallery:
Figure 2. The Recommend tab of the Manage Styles dialog box.
Changes to what is on the style gallery or the ordering of styles in the gallery are reflected in the gallery immediately.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (4271) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
One of the drawbacks of the ribbon interface used in Word is that it can be difficult to easily see what style is applied ...
Discover MoreWord always relies on styles to define how text appears in your document. If you don't understand how Word applies ...
Discover MoreUsing styles in your documents can be very helpful when it comes to consistency and ease of formatting. When others open ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2021-07-31 19:07:19
Pat
Wyatt,
I only use the Normal and one personal style. I would like to remove the bulk of the styles but not delete from the computer just remove them from the gallery as I have a lot of other item on the ribbon and would like better control of that arrangement.
2021-04-12 13:12:50
JMJ
I have the same problem as Pam, and I'd be very happy if someone could find a solution...
Oh, by the way, are there any means to act on this gallery in VBA?
Thank you.
2018-03-25 16:34:50
Pam Sawyer
Hi Allen,
I hope you are still monitoring this site ... I've looked at instructions on many different sites, and they all say the same as you. I've spent hours trying to get the gallery to maintain the order I've put my styles in, but when I close and reopen the document, the styles go back to the same jumbled mess.
In 'Manage Styles' on the Recommend tab, I assigned each style a number and ensured there were no duplicate numbers. I also clicked on Show for each style, hoping that would help. It looks great when I'm done, and after I save and re-open, it has reverted.
So I thought, well maybe I need to do this in a template. I tried that, and Word will not maintain my style ordering in the template either.
Can you please help? I am trying to create a group of templates for our team, but the styles won't cooperate.
Thanks,
Pam
2018-03-22 21:38:37
Pam Sawyer
Hi Allen,
I hope you are still monitoring this site ... I've looked at instructions on many different sites, and they all say the same as you. I've spent hours trying to get the gallery to maintain the order I've put my styles in, but when I close and reopen the document, the styles go back to the same jumbled mess.
In 'Manage Styles' on the Recommend tab, I assigned each style a number and ensured there were no duplicate numbers. I also clicked on Show for each style, hoping that would help. It looks great when I'm done, and after I save and re-open, it has reverted.
So I thought, well maybe I need to do this in a template. I tried that, and Word will not maintain my style ordering in the template either.
Can you please help? I am trying to create a group of templates for our team, but the styles won't cooperate.
Thanks,
Pam
2017-08-26 08:17:19
Acreguy
I wonder why MS hasn't used a drag and drop method for re-ordering styles in the Quick Style Gallery (QSG)?? Their method of assigning numbers through the Recommended tab is so outdated and a total pain in the neck. The QSG window should be non-modal (stays available until you decide to close it). That way, you could design your styles, add them to the QSG, and then drag and drop them to where you want them.
Ordering styles in the QSG is just another example of how convoluted MS does everything.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments