A format object task pane is provided that presents contextual formatting controls for formatting objects. The format object task pane may be docked to an edge of an application window and may be modeless, allowing a user to interact with application functionalities while the task pane is open. Formatting controls may behave contextually and display controls specific to a currently selected object. The presented formatting controls may be organized by categories and by sections within the categories. Text formatting and object formatting controls may be provided in a same task pane.