How to Remove Text Highlighting in Word
Removing text highlighting in Word is easy and can be done in just a few steps. First, select the text with the highlighting you want to remove. Next, go to the Home tab and click on the Text Highlight Color button in the Font group. Choose No Color from the drop-down menu. Your highlighted text will now return to its normal background.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Remove Text Highlighting in Word
In this section, we’ll guide you through removing text highlighting in Word. Whether you’re cleaning up a document or just tweaking some formatting, these steps will help.
Step 1: Select the Highlighted Text
Click and drag your mouse over the text that is highlighted.
Ensure you select all the text that has the highlighting you want to remove. You can also use keyboard shortcuts like Shift + Arrow keys to make the selection process faster.
Step 2: Go to the Home Tab
Navigate to the Home tab at the top of the Word window.
The Home tab is where most of your common text formatting options are, including text highlighting.
Step 3: Click on the Text Highlight Color Button
Find and click the Text Highlight Color button in the Font group, which looks like a highlighter marker.
This button is usually found in the same section as your font color and size options. Clicking it opens a drop-down menu.
Step 4: Select No Color from the Drop-Down Menu
Choose No Color from the drop-down menu that appears.
This action removes the highlighting from the selected text, returning it to its default background color.
Step 5: Check Your Work
Review the text to ensure the highlighting has been successfully removed.
If any highlighted areas remain, repeat the steps until all highlighting is gone.
After you complete these steps, your text will no longer have any highlighting, and it will appear just like the rest of your plain text. It’s a quick and straightforward way to clean up your document.
Tips for Removing Text Highlighting in Word
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Use Keyboard Shortcuts: You can use Ctrl + A to select all text in a document if you want to remove highlighting from the entire document.
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Multiple Sections: If the highlighted text is in different sections, you may need to repeat the steps for each section.
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Check for Hidden Highlights: Sometimes highlights in headers, footers, or footnotes can be missed. Make sure to check these sections as well.
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Save Before Editing: Always save a copy of your document before making changes, just in case.
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Use the Clear Formatting Tool: The Clear Formatting button, also found in the Home tab, can remove all formatting, including highlighting, from your selected text.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove highlighting from an entire document?
To remove highlighting from an entire document, press Ctrl + A to select all text, then follow the steps to remove highlighting.
Can I remove highlighting from multiple sections at once?
Yes, but you have to select all the sections you want to change before following the steps to remove the highlighting.
What if the highlighting doesn’t go away?
If the highlighting doesn’t go away, it might be a text background color. Use the Clear Formatting tool to ensure all formatting is removed.
How do I remove highlighting from headers and footers?
Go to the header or footer section, select the highlighted text, and follow the same steps to remove the highlighting.
Is there a way to remove highlighting automatically?
There isn’t an automatic way to remove only highlighting, but selecting all text and choosing No Color from the Text Highlight Color menu can be done quickly.
Summary
- Select the highlighted text.
- Go to the Home tab.
- Click on the Text Highlight Color button.
- Select No Color from the drop-down menu.
- Check your work.
Conclusion
Removing text highlighting in Word is a simple yet essential skill for anyone looking to tidy up their documents. Whether you’re preparing a professional report or just ensuring your notes look neat, knowing how to remove highlighting can make a big difference. After following these steps, your text should look clean and professional, free from any unwanted highlights. If you found this guide helpful, explore other Word tips and tricks to become more proficient with this powerful word-processing tool. Happy editing!
Matt has been working with WordPress and creating content using this powerful content management system for years. While he has written about many other tech topics, WordPress is one of his favorites.
You can read his full bio here.