How to Remove Gray Background in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

//

Matthew Burleigh

Are you annoyed by that pesky gray background in Google Docs that just won’t go away? Worry not! Removing it is easier than you think and can make your document look cleaner and more professional. All you need is a few clicks, and voilà! The gray background will be gone in no time.

Step by Step Tutorial to Remove Gray Background in Google Docs

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s understand what we’re trying to achieve here. When you remove the gray background in Google Docs, you’re essentially resetting the page color back to its default white. This makes your document more readable and print-friendly.

Step 1: Open your document in Google Docs

Open the document that has the gray background you want to remove.

Step 2: Click on ‘File’ in the top menu

Click on the ‘File’ option located in the top menu bar of your Google Docs screen.

Step 3: Select ‘Page setup’ from the dropdown menu

From the ‘File’ dropdown menu, click on ‘Page setup’ which is almost at the bottom of the list.

Step 4: Change the ‘Page color’ to white

In the ‘Page setup’ window, you will see the ‘Page color’ option. Click on it and select white, which is usually the first box in the color selection.

Step 5: Click ‘OK’ to save the changes

After selecting white as your page color, click ‘OK’ to save the changes and close the ‘Page setup’ window.

Once you complete these steps, the gray background will be removed, and you will have a clean, white background for your document.

Tips to Remove Gray Background in Google Docs

  • Make sure you are in the editing mode of the document, not viewing or suggesting mode.
  • If the gray background persists, try refreshing your browser or restarting Google Docs.
  • Remember that changing the page color affects the entire document, not just specific pages.
  • Consider if a white background will work best for your document’s purpose and audience.
  • If you’re sharing the document, inform collaborators of the color change to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the gray background from a shared document?

Yes, you can remove the gray background from a shared document as long as you have editing permissions.

Will changing the page color affect the text and images in the document?

No, changing the page color will not affect the text and images in the document. It only changes the background on which they are placed.

Can I set a different color other than white as the page background?

Absolutely! You can choose any color you like as the page background by following the same steps and selecting a different color.

What should I do if I can’t find the ‘Page setup’ option?

If you can’t find the ‘Page setup’ option, make sure you’re in the editing mode of the document and not viewing a preview or a print layout.

Is it possible to remove the gray background on the mobile version of Google Docs?

Yes, it is possible to remove the gray background in the mobile version of Google Docs by accessing the page setup options in the app.

Summary

  1. Open your document in Google Docs.
  2. Click on ‘File’ in the top menu.
  3. Select ‘Page setup’ from the dropdown menu.
  4. Change the ‘Page color’ to white.
  5. Click ‘OK’ to save the changes.

Conclusion

There you have it! Removing the gray background in Google Docs is a straightforward task that can significantly improve the visual appeal of your documents. Whether you’re preparing a report, writing an essay, or crafting a presentation, a clean white background can make your work stand out. It’s incredible how such a simple change can have such a profound impact on the readability and professionalism of your document. So go ahead, give these steps a try, and say goodbye to that dull gray background for good. And if you ever need to do it again, just remember these easy steps, and you’ll have it done in no time. Happy documenting!

Matthew Burleigh

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech content online for more than ten years. He enjoys writing about Google Docs in addition to many other applications and devices and has cumulatively covered Google’s word-processing application in hundreds of different articles.

He has been published on dozens of popular websites, and his works have accumulated millions of pageviews.
While focused primarily on tutorials and guides for popular electronics like the iPhone and iPad, as well as common applications like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, he covers topics across the entire technology spectrum.

You can read his bio here.

Join Our Free Newsletter

Featured guides and deals

You may opt out at any time.
Read our Privacy Policy