How do I paste only formatting in Google Sheets?

Natively: copy, then press Ctrl + Alt + V. With XLKeys installed you can also use the Excel sequence Alt E S T, or the paint format tool in the toolbar.

Does Alt E S T overwrite my data?

No. Paste formatting applies only the visual style (number format, colors, borders, fonts). The values and formulas in the destination cells are preserved.

All shortcuts

Paste Formatting in Google Sheets

Windows

Alt→E→S→T

Mac

Option→E→S→T

Copying a cell’s look — number format, colors, borders, font — without overwriting its contents is an everyday Excel move: Alt E S T. Google Sheets supports paste-format-only, but under a different shortcut most Excel users never find.

XLKeys maps the Excel sequence directly: Alt, then E, S, T pastes formatting only onto the selected range in Google Sheets.

Excel vs. Google Sheets vs. XLKeys

Where	Shortcut
Excel	`Alt`→`E`→`S`→`T`
Google Sheets (native)	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`V`
Google Sheets + XLKeys	`Alt`→`E`→`S`→`T`

Sheets has Ctrl + Alt + V for paste-format-only, but Excel users reach for Alt E S T — which Sheets ignores without XLKeys.

How to use it

Copy the cell with the formatting you want (Ctrl + C).
Select the target cell or range.
Press Alt, release it, then type E, S, T.
The formatting is applied; values and formulas in the target stay untouched.

Frequently asked questions

Related shortcuts

Paste Values

Alt→E→S→V

Paste Special

Alt→E→S

Clear Formatting

Alt→H→E→F

Make Google Sheets feel like Excel

Install XLKeys to use paste formatting and 150+ other Excel-style shortcuts, Alt-key sequences, formula auditing, Goal Seek, and Sensitivity Tables in Google Sheets.

Add XLKeys to Chrome Free printable cheat sheet →