Removing the background color from text in Google Docs is a simple process that involves a few clicks. With this brief guide, you’ll quickly learn how to get rid of that unwanted highlight, making your document look cleaner and more professional.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Remove Text Background Color in Google Docs
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that the background color in Google Docs is often used for emphasis. Removing it can help reduce distraction and make your document more readable.
Step 1: Open your Google Docs document
Open the document where you want to remove the text background color.
Accessing the right document is the first step. Make sure you’re logged into your Google account and open the document from your Drive or recent documents list.
Step 2: Select the text with the background color
Click and drag your cursor over the text to highlight it.
The text you want to change should be highlighted completely to ensure the background color is removed from all the intended areas.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Text Background Color’ button
Look for the ‘Text Background Color’ icon in the toolbar – it looks like a highlighter.
If you can’t find the icon, it might be hidden in the ‘More’ menu, which is represented by three vertical dots.
Step 4: Choose ‘No color’ from the options
After clicking the ‘Text Background Color’ button, a palette will appear. Select ‘No color’ to remove the background.
The change should be immediate, and the text will now have no background color, blending seamlessly with the rest of your document.
After these steps, your selected text will no longer have a background color. This will make your document look more uniform and easier to read.
Tips on Removing Text Background Color in Google Docs
- If you want to remove the background color from the entire document, press ‘Ctrl + A’ (or ‘Command + A’ on Mac) to select all text before following the steps.
- Double-check the text to ensure you’ve removed the background color from every section you intended to.
- If you’re collaborating with others, let them know that you’ve made these changes to avoid confusion.
- Remember that removing background colors can also remove emphasis, so consider if there’s another way to highlight important text.
- Use the ‘Undo’ button (or press ‘Ctrl + Z’) if you accidentally remove the background color from the wrong text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the ‘Text Background Color’ button is not showing?
If the button isn’t showing, it might be hidden under the ‘More’ menu, represented by three vertical dots in the toolbar. Click on that to find more formatting options.
Can I remove the background color from images or shapes?
No, this method is specifically for text background color. Images and shapes have different formatting options.
Will this method work on Google Docs mobile app?
The steps may vary slightly on mobile devices, but the general process is the same.
What should I do if the background color doesn’t change?
Make sure you’ve correctly selected the text and that you’re clicking on the correct ‘No color’ option in the palette.
Can I remove the background color from a single word within a highlighted sentence?
Yes, simply select the word you want to change and follow the same steps.
Summary
- Open your Google Docs document.
- Select the text with the background color.
- Click on the ‘Text Background Color’ button in the toolbar.
- Choose ‘No color’ from the options.
Conclusion
There you have it, a straightforward way on how to remove text background color in Google Docs. It’s a simple process that can make a world of difference in the readability and aesthetic of your document. Remember, while background colors can be useful for highlighting important information, they can also be distracting if overused. Taking them away can provide a cleaner, more professional look for your work. Whether you’re a student, professional, or anyone in between, knowing how to manipulate text formatting is an essential skill in the digital age. So go ahead, give these steps a try and see how it transforms your Google Docs experience.
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.