Cannot restore paragraph to Default (how to clear overrides)

[jwriter]

This is for LO 4.2.4.2 on a Mac, using Writer component. I inherited a file and am trying to change the style of a paragraph to Default by double clicking on Default, but nothing happens. Here are my questions:

1. Does Libre Office have “manual overrides” that take precedence over the styles? (For example, an override would be if a user selected a paragraph and set the font to a different one than Default.)

2. How to identify paragraphs that have overrides?

3. How to clear these overrides and go back to Default?

4. If double clicking does not work, how to diagnose and fix the problem?

Thank you.

[ROSt53]

Most likely this is the solution: Select the paragraph(s) right click and select Clear Direct Formatting.

Direct formatting over rules the styles.

Identification of direct formatting: no reaction when double clicking a style.

Maybe you can consider to select the entire document and clear direct formatting. Careful! I would make some test with a smaller part. first.

Default style created me also some headaches at the beginning…

[Lupp]

1. Yes. It is called ‘Direct Formatting’ and is applied by simply selecting a piece of text and setting the properties as wanted. Selecting a font or any kind of highlighting will also affect subsequently written text if not the cursor is set to a position with other settings. For a new paragraph you may do it by choosing character properties before typing the first character.

2. Beyond looking: don’t know.

3. Select portion of text (‘Edit’ > 'Select ‘All’, e.g.) > ‘Format’ > ‘Clear Direct Formatting’ [Ctrl + M by default]

4. You mean double clicking a paragraph style using the ‘Stylist’? First Clear direct formats.

[Lupp]

My writing was interrupted. Thus my post crossed the one by ROSt52. Though ROSt’s post obviously tells everything very well, I didn’t delete my post yet.

[ROSt53]

@Lupp - no need to delete. Your description comes from a different starting point and can help to better understanding. And this is what we want to achieve.

[jwriter]

Both of these answers are brilliant, thank you. I have used LO for a long time and never seen the Clear Direct Formatting option.

Libre Office Help really needs a comment to tell people what to do when they try to apply a style and nothing happens.

[ROSt53]

May I encourage you to get in touch with team developing LibO: http://www.libreoffice.org/community/get-involved/