diff --git a/Examples/Document Configuration/report.pdf b/Examples/Document Configuration/report.pdf
index f870560..238f7dd 100644
Binary files a/Examples/Document Configuration/report.pdf and b/Examples/Document Configuration/report.pdf differ
diff --git a/Examples/Document Configuration/report.yml b/Examples/Document Configuration/report.yml
index e53fa7c..aaf624e 100644
--- a/Examples/Document Configuration/report.yml	
+++ b/Examples/Document Configuration/report.yml	
@@ -28,14 +28,6 @@ Customizing your document configuration and styling:
     
   - The document template (_doc):
     - >
-<<<<<<< HEAD
-      The template controls settings such as
-    - _ul:
-        - Page size
-        - Margins
-        - PDF background file path
-        - And whether or not you have a separate set of the above settings applying to the first page of your document or not.
-=======
       The `_doc` configuration controls the document-wide page size and orientation, along with
       one or more named `page templates`. Each page template controls settings such as
     - - Margins
@@ -46,7 +38,6 @@ Customizing your document configuration and styling:
       can switch between page templates using the `_pagebreak` block (pass it the name or index of
       the template to use for the following pages) or the `_nextpagetemplate` block (which arms the
       template to switch to at the next page break).
->>>>>>> adb6527 (feat: implement multiple named page templates)
 
     - >
       Currently, the document template is internally configured to only use a single content frame. This limitation would only affect you if you wanted to do something like a two-column layout (where text flows into the second column on the same page once the first one is full).
@@ -72,6 +63,12 @@ Customizing your document configuration and styling:
         - Font family
         - Text color
         - Typographic ratio (in musical intervals, e.g. "minor second" or "major third")
+        - Alignment (left, center, right, justify) and underline
+
+    - >
+      Beyond the default `body` and `headings`, you can define named `styles` — alternate text
+      families you switch between within the document using the `_textstyle` block. Each named
+      style is a sparse override that inherits everything you don't change from the defaults.
   - Table styles (_tablestyle):
     - >
       You can control how your tables are displayed by modifying the table style. With the _tablestyle key, you can control
diff --git a/docs/_static/examples/document-configuration-1.png b/docs/_static/examples/document-configuration-1.png
index 2cdd09e..62ef6e7 100644
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diff --git a/docs/_static/examples/document-configuration-2.png b/docs/_static/examples/document-configuration-2.png
index 5a4022d..6171a1d 100644
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diff --git a/docs/_static/examples/text-styles.png b/docs/_static/examples/text-styles.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ceb4bdd
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/_static/examples/text-styles.png differ
diff --git a/docs/examples.md b/docs/examples.md
index ab6712a..2875fde 100644
--- a/docs/examples.md
+++ b/docs/examples.md
@@ -81,6 +81,27 @@ block in the document front matter. See [Configuration](guide/configuration.md).
 
 ---
 
+## Scoped text styles
+
+Define named text styles under `_style.styles`, then switch the active family part-way through
+the document with the `_textstyle` block. Here a `fine-print` style (smaller, grey) and a
+`callout` style (larger, blue, centred) are switched in and out — each swap restyles the body,
+headings, and lists that follow it, and reverts when the section ends. See
+[Configuration → Named text styles](#style-named).
+
+```{literalinclude} ../Examples/Text Styles/report.yml
+:language: yaml
+```
+
+::::{container} ym-single-shot
+```{image} _static/examples/text-styles.png
+:alt: Scoped text styles — default, fine-print, and callout families switched within one document
+:class: ym-page-shot
+```
+::::
+
+---
+
 ## Document variables
 
 Define `_vars`, render them into text with Jinja (`{{ "{{var}}" }}`), and reach into nested
diff --git a/docs/guide/configuration.md b/docs/guide/configuration.md
index 2cc117e..5c76f3e 100644
--- a/docs/guide/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/guide/configuration.md
@@ -127,7 +127,9 @@ Report:
 (cfg-style)=
 ## Text styles — `_style`
 
-Controls body and heading typography.
+Controls body and heading typography. Alongside the default `body` and `headings` families,
+`_style` can define **named text styles** under `styles` — alternate families you switch
+between within the document with the [`_textstyle`](#style-switching) block.
 
 ```yaml
 _style:
@@ -135,11 +137,13 @@ _style:
     font: Helvetica
     color: "#222222"
     ratio: Major Third      # typographic scale as a musical interval
+    underline: false        # underline every heading
   body:
     font: Helvetica
     color: black
     size: 10                # points
     spacing: 1.7            # line spacing ratio
+    align: left             # left | center | right | justify
     bullets:
       font: Helvetica
       size: 10
@@ -148,6 +152,17 @@ _style:
       spacing: 10
       indent-bullet: 20
       indent-text: 40
+  styles:                   # named styles (see "Named text styles" below)
+    fine-print:
+      body:
+        size: 8
+        color: "#666666"
+    callout:
+      body:
+        size: 12
+        align: center
+      headings:
+        ratio: major third
 ```
 
 ### Headings
@@ -157,6 +172,8 @@ _style:
 | `font` | Heading font family (see [Fonts](../reference/fonts.md)). |
 | `color` | Heading colour, hex or name. |
 | `ratio` | Typographic scale expressed as a **musical interval** — e.g. `minor third`, `major second`, `Major Third`. Larger intervals produce a bigger jump between heading levels. |
+| `align` | Text alignment — `left`, `center`, `right`, or `justify` (default `left`). |
+| `underline` | `true` to underline every heading (default `false`). |
 
 ### Body
 
@@ -166,8 +183,81 @@ _style:
 | `color` | Body text colour. |
 | `size` | Body font size in points. |
 | `spacing` | Line-spacing ratio. |
+| `align` | Text alignment — `left`, `center`, `right`, or `justify` (default `left`). |
+| `underline` | `true` to underline body paragraphs (default `false`). |
 | `bullets` | Bullet styling — glyph hierarchy (`symbols`), colour, size, and indentation of the bullet (`indent-bullet`) and its text (`indent-text`). |
 
+:::{note}
+`align` and `underline` are available on `body`, `headings`, and every named style. Both are
+inherited by named styles like any other field.
+:::
+
+(style-named)=
+### Named text styles
+
+Under `styles`, declare any number of **named families**. Each name maps to a **sparse
+override** of the default family — you specify only what differs, and every unspecified field
+(fonts, colours, bullets, alignment …) is inherited from `body`/`headings`. This mirrors the
+inherit-from-defaults behaviour of the config system itself.
+
+```yaml
+_style:
+  body:     { font: NotoSans, size: 10, color: black, spacing: 1.7 }
+  headings: { font: AppleGaramond, ratio: minor third, color: "#dd9922" }
+  styles:
+    fine-print:               # a smaller, grey family
+      body:
+        size: 8
+        color: "#666666"
+    callout:                  # a larger, centred family with bigger headings
+      body:
+        size: 12
+        align: center
+      headings:
+        ratio: major third
+```
+
+Switching to a named style swaps the **whole family** — body paragraphs, bullet lists, and
+the derived `h1`…`h6` headings all follow the active style. Because heading sizes are derived
+from `body.size` (`body.size × ratio`), a named style with a smaller `body.size` also shrinks
+its headings.
+
+The special name **`default`** is always available and refers to the top-level `body`/
+`headings`. Switching to an undeclared name raises an error.
+
+(style-switching)=
+### Switching text styles
+
+Within your report content, change the active family with the `_textstyle` block:
+
+- `_textstyle: <name>` — activate the named style (or `default`) **from that point onward
+  within its section**, and for every nested descendant. It renders nothing of its own.
+
+`_textstyle` is **scoped to the list it appears in**: it restyles every following sibling in
+that frame plus their descendants, and reverts automatically when the section (list) ends.
+There is no need to switch back manually unless you want to change style *within* the same
+section. (This differs from page templates, which persist across sections until you switch
+them again.)
+
+```yaml
+Legal disclaimer:
+  - _textstyle: fine-print     # applies from here down in THIS section
+  - This paragraph is fine-print.
+  - Sub-clause:
+      - Inherited fine-print (a nested descendant).
+  - _textstyle: default        # switch back within the same section
+  - Back to the default style.
+
+Next section:
+  - Body style again — the disclaimer's scope ended with its list.
+```
+
+:::{note}
+Named styles apply to **paragraphs, headings, and bullet/numbered lists**. Other blocks
+(admonitions, quotes, code, images, tables) keep their own styling regardless of the active
+text style.
+:::
+
 (cfg-tablestyle)=
 ## Table styles — `_tablestyle`
 
diff --git a/docs/reference/blocks.md b/docs/reference/blocks.md
index 38f9be0..aca027a 100644
--- a/docs/reference/blocks.md
+++ b/docs/reference/blocks.md
@@ -38,14 +38,11 @@ The suffix does not affect how the block is executed. It is simply an optional i
 | [`_code`](#block-code) | A non-executable code block. |
 | [`_py`](#block-py) | Execute Python and optionally show the syntax-highlighted source. |
 | [`_loadjson`](#block-loadjson) | Load variables into the document from a JSON file. |
-<<<<<<< HEAD
 | [`_ul`](#block-ul) | An unordered (bulleted) list. |
 | [`_ol`](#block-ol) | An ordered (numbered) list. |
-| [`_pagebreak`](#block-pagebreak) | Force a page break. |
-=======
 | [`_pagebreak`](#block-pagebreak) | Force a page break, optionally switching page template. |
 | [`_nextpagetemplate`](#block-nextpagetemplate) | Arm the page template to switch to at the next break. |
->>>>>>> adb6527 (feat: implement multiple named page templates)
+| [`_textstyle`](#block-textstyle) | Switch the active named text style for the rest of the section. |
 | [`_hrule`](#block-hrule) | A customizable horizontal rule. |
 | [`_spacer`](#block-spacer) | Insert vertical whitespace. |
 
@@ -298,7 +295,7 @@ Recommended actions:
 ## `_pagebreak` — Page breaks
 
 Force a page break. Called with no value, it just breaks the page and keeps the current
-[page template](configuration.md#cfg-doc). Pass the **name or 0-based index** of a page
+[page template](#cfg-doc). Pass the **name or 0-based index** of a page
 template to switch to it for the pages that follow.
 
 ```yaml
@@ -317,7 +314,7 @@ Report:
 (block-nextpagetemplate)=
 ## `_nextpagetemplate` — Switch template at the next break
 
-Arm the [page template](configuration.md#cfg-doc) to switch to at the **next** page break,
+Arm the [page template](#cfg-doc) to switch to at the **next** page break,
 without inserting a break itself. Useful when the break is produced elsewhere (for example,
 by content overflowing the page). Takes the template **name or 0-based index**.
 
@@ -330,6 +327,36 @@ Report:
 
 ---
 
+(block-textstyle)=
+## `_textstyle` — Switch text style
+
+Activate a [named text style](#style-named) for the rest of the section it
+appears in, and for every nested descendant. Takes a style **name** (declared under
+`_style.styles`) or the special name `default`. It renders nothing of its own.
+
+The switch is **scoped to its list**: it restyles every following sibling plus their
+descendants, then reverts automatically when the section ends — no manual switch-back is
+needed unless you want to change style again within the same section. Switching swaps the
+whole family, so body paragraphs, bullet lists, and derived headings all follow the active
+style. An undeclared style name raises an error.
+
+```yaml
+Legal disclaimer:
+  - _textstyle: fine-print     # applies from here down in THIS section
+  - This paragraph is fine-print.
+  - Sub-clause:
+      - Inherited fine-print (a nested descendant).
+  - _textstyle: default        # switch back within the same section
+  - Back to the default style.
+
+Next section:
+  - Body style again — the disclaimer's scope ended with its list.
+```
+
+See [Switching text styles](#style-switching) for the full behaviour.
+
+---
+
 (block-hrule)=
 ## `_hrule` — Horizontal rules
 
diff --git a/src/ymprint/config/config_loaders.py b/src/ymprint/config/config_loaders.py
index 5ace8b2..dd5bb21 100644
--- a/src/ymprint/config/config_loaders.py
+++ b/src/ymprint/config/config_loaders.py
@@ -38,7 +38,9 @@ def load_report_config(source_data: Optional[dict] = None, report_config_path: O
         raise FileNotFoundError(f"The supplied path for the report_config_path does not exist. Here is what you passed:\n\n{str(report_config_path.resolve())}")
     
     if report_config_path is not None and report_config_path.is_file():
-        config_data = load_yaml(report_config_path)
+        # load_yaml returns None when the file exists but is empty; treat that as
+        # "no config here" rather than crashing on the .get() lookups below.
+        config_data = load_yaml(report_config_path) or {}
         config_styles = config_data.get("_style", {})
         config_tablestyles = config_data.get("_tablestyle", {})
         config_doctemplate = config_data.get("_doc", {})
diff --git a/tests/test_loadconfig.py b/tests/test_loadconfig.py
index c03756a..84dbfee 100644
--- a/tests/test_loadconfig.py
+++ b/tests/test_loadconfig.py
@@ -40,6 +40,23 @@ def test_load_report_config():
     # assert doc['_doc']['first-page']['cat'] == 'here'
 
 
+def test_load_report_config_empty_file(tmp_path):
+    """An empty config file must be treated as 'no config', not crash.
+
+    load_yaml returns None for an empty file; load_report_config should coalesce
+    that to an empty mapping and fall back to the internal defaults.
+    """
+    empty_config = tmp_path / "doc.ymprint.yml"
+    empty_config.write_text("")
+
+    styles, tablestyles, doc = load_report_config(None, empty_config)
+
+    # Falls back to internal defaults rather than raising AttributeError.
+    assert doc['_doc']['page-size'] == 'a4'
+    assert styles['_style']['body']['size'] == 10
+    assert tablestyles['_tablestyle']['headers']['text']['bold'] is True
+
+
 def test_load_doc_config():
     source_data = {
         "_style": {