Removing unwanted background color from text in Microsoft Word is a common task. Whether you’ve copied text from a website, another document, or accidentally applied highlighting, this guide will show you How To Remove Background Color From Text In Word quickly and effectively.
As a color expert from Color Box Hanoi, I understand the importance of precise color control, even in your documents. Let’s dive into the different ways to achieve a clean, professional look by eliminating that distracting background color.
Simple Methods to Remove Background Color
There are several straightforward methods to remove background color, depending on the source and extent of the coloring. Here’s a breakdown of the most common and effective techniques.
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Using the “No Color” Option: Select the text with the unwanted background color. Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon. In the “Font” group, click the arrow next to the “Highlight Color” icon (it looks like a highlighter pen). Choose “No Color” from the dropdown menu. This is often the quickest way to remove simple highlighting.
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Clear Formatting: Another quick fix is to clear all formatting. Select the affected text. On the “Home” tab, in the “Font” group, click the “Clear All Formatting” icon (it looks like an eraser). Be aware that this will remove all formatting, including font type, size, and bolding.
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Using the “Shading” Option: Sometimes, the background color is applied as shading rather than highlighting. Select the text. Go to the “Design” tab (or “Page Layout” in older versions). In the “Page Background” group, click “Page Borders.” In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the “Shading” tab. Under “Fill,” select “No Color.”
After clearing the background, you may want to adjust the text color. Check out how to change text color javascript for web applications.
Dealing with Background Color from Copied Text
Copying text from websites or other documents often brings unwanted background color along. Here’s how to handle it:
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Paste as Plain Text: The simplest way to avoid importing background color is to paste the text as plain text. Use the “Paste Special” option (Ctrl+Shift+V) and select “Unformatted Text” or “Unformatted Unicode Text.” This removes all formatting, including background color.
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Use the “Keep Text Only” Option: Similar to pasting as plain text, this option strips away the formatting while retaining basic text styling like bold and italics. After pasting, click the small paste options icon that appears next to the pasted text and select “Keep Text Only” (represented by a clipboard icon with a “A”).
You can learn more about handling copied text and removing background color in our dedicated guide: how to remove background color in word after copied text.
Advanced Techniques and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, the background color might be more persistent. Here are a few advanced techniques and troubleshooting tips:
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Styles: If the background color is linked to a specific style, modifying the style will remove the color from all text using that style. Go to the “Home” tab, click the “Styles” pane launcher (a small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Styles group), right-click on the relevant style, and select “Modify.” Change the background color to “No Color.”
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Section Breaks: Background color might be applied to an entire section. Try inserting a section break before and after the affected text to isolate the formatting. Then, apply the “No Color” option to the affected section.
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Hidden Characters: Occasionally, hidden formatting characters can be the culprit. Show hidden characters by clicking the “Show/Hide ¶” button on the “Home” tab (it looks like a paragraph mark). Delete any unusual characters surrounding the affected text.
Do you ever need more highlighting options? Learn how to get more highlight colors in word for greater customization. And if you’re working with PDFs, check out our guide on how to change text color in pdf text box.
Conclusion
Removing background color from text in Word doesn’t have to be a hassle. By using these simple and effective methods, you can achieve a clean, professional document free from distracting colors. Remember to choose the method that best suits your situation and the source of the background color. If you’re looking for information on changing button colors in web design, you might find our article on how to change color of a button in html useful.
FAQ
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Why does copied text sometimes have a background color? This is often due to formatting from the original source, like websites or other documents.
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Will clearing formatting remove my text as well? No, clearing formatting only removes the styling, not the text itself.
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What if “No Color” doesn’t remove the background? Try the other methods outlined, such as Paste Special or checking for hidden characters.
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Can I prevent background color from being copied in the first place? Yes, by pasting as plain text or using the “Keep Text Only” option.
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What if the background color is only on part of a word? Make sure you have the entire word selected, or try clearing formatting for the whole paragraph.
Need more help with colors? Contact Color Box Hanoi at 0373298888, email us at [email protected], or visit us at 86 Cau Giay, Hanoi. Our 24/7 customer service team is always ready to assist you.
Also check out related articles on color management and other helpful resources on our website. We have many articles that can assist you with different color-related problems.