How to demote heading levels for the entire document in Microsoft Word? I have a document with many chapters and sections defined with "Heading 1" and "Heading 2" styles. Now I want to organize chapters into "Parts". This requires me to change sections to be "Heading 3", chapters to be "Heading 2", and free up "Heading 1" for parts.

The best way to demote heading levels in Microsoft Word is to use the "Find and Replace" dialog box.

1. Click "Home" and select "Replace" at the end of the menu ribbon, or press Ctrl-H. You will see the Find and Replace dialog box.

2. Clear the "Find what" field, and select "Format > Style > Heading 2".

3. Clear the "Replace with" field and select "Format > Style > Heading 3".

4. Click "Replace All" button. All sections are now associated with "Heading 3".

2. Clear the "Find what" field, and select "Format > Style > Heading 1".

3. Clear the "Replace with" field and select "Format > Style > Heading 2".

4. Click "Replace All" button. All chapters are now associated with "Heading 2".

You are ready to "Heading 1" for parts.

⇒ Macro to Replace Table Styles in Microsoft Word

⇐ Replace a Style with Another in Microsoft Word

⇑ Using Styles in Microsoft Word

⇑⇑ MS Word - Frequently Asked Questions