How to Remove Text Highlighting in Word: Step-by-Step Guide

Got some unwanted highlights in your Word document? No worries, it’s an easy fix! All you need to do is select the highlighted text and remove the highlight color. Simple, right? You’ll have a clean, unhighlighted document in no time.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Remove Text Highlighting in Word

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re aiming to do here. We want to remove the highlight from the text in a Word document, which could have been added intentionally or by accident. Follow these steps, and you’ll clear up your document in a jiffy.

Step 1: Open the Word document

Open the document that has the highlighted text you want to remove.

Opening your document is the first step. Make sure you’re working with the correct file and have it ready on your screen.

Step 2: Select the highlighted text

Click and drag your cursor over the highlighted text to select it.

Be careful to only select the text you want to unhighlight. If you select too much, you might unhighlight more than you intended.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Home’ tab

Look for the ‘Home’ tab in the Word ribbon at the top of your screen.

The ‘Home’ tab is where you’ll find most of the formatting options, including the highlight tool.

Step 4: Click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button

In the ‘Font’ group, click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button, which looks like a pen with a highlighter tip.

This button may show the last color you used. Don’t worry about that; we’re here to remove the color.

Step 5: Select ‘No Color’ from the dropdown menu

In the dropdown menu that appears, click on ‘No Color.’

This action will remove the highlight from your selected text, returning it to its original state.

After completing these steps, the highlight will be gone, and your text will look as if it was never highlighted in the first place.

Tips for Removing Text Highlighting in Word

• If you want to remove highlighting from the entire document, press Ctrl+A to select all the text before following the steps.
• Double-check that you’ve selected ‘No Color’ and not a color that matches the background of your document, as this could make it seem like the text is still highlighted.
• If you’re finding it tricky to click on the exact highlight color button, you can also use the shortcut key Alt+H, I, and then press N for ‘No Color.’
• Sometimes, highlights might not be removed if the document is protected or if the text is part of a header or footer. Make sure the document is editable.
• Keep in mind that removing highlighting won’t affect any other text formatting like bold, italic, or underlining.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t find the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button?

If you can’t find the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button, it may be because you’re using a different version of Word or your Word window is resized, and the ribbon is showing fewer options. Try expanding the window or look for the button under the ‘Font’ group in the ‘Home’ tab.

Can I remove highlighting from text in Word on a Mac?

Yes, you can remove highlighting from text in Word on a Mac. The steps are very similar to those for Windows.

Will removing highlighting affect my text’s other formatting?

No, removing highlighting won’t affect other text formatting like font size, style, or color.

Can I remove highlighting from multiple parts of the document at once?

Yes, you can. Hold down the Ctrl key and select different highlighted sections with your mouse. Then, follow the same steps to unhighlight.

What if the text still appears highlighted after following the steps?

Make sure you’ve selected ‘No Color.’ If it still appears highlighted, it might be because of the document’s background color, or you might have selected a color that matches the background.

Summary

1. Open the Word document
2. Select the highlighted text
3. Click on the ‘Home’ tab
4. Click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button
5. Select ‘No Color’ from the dropdown menu

Conclusion

Removing text highlighting in Word is a piece of cake once you know where to look. The steps we’ve covered should help you clear any unwanted highlights, leaving your document looking sharp and professional. Remember to check the selection carefully to ensure you’re only unhighlighting what you intend to. And don’t rush—take a moment to confirm that ‘No Color’ is indeed the option you’re choosing. With these tips and the step-by-step guide, you’re now equipped to handle any highlighting hurdles that come your way. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy your clean, highlight-free document. If you have further questions or need more advanced Word troubleshooting, there’s a wealth of resources and forums online where you can find additional assistance. Happy unhighlighting!