How to Apply Fill to Text in Word (Solid and Gradient)

“Text fill” is the color inside the letters. Most of the time you’d just change the font color, but Word’s text fill options go further: you can fill text with a gradient, make it partly transparent, or combine a fill with an outline for eye-catching headings, flyers and posters. This guide shows how to apply solid and gradient fills to text in Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, 2019 and 2016, plus how to fill WordArt and text boxes and how to get a picture inside text.

Quick Answer

Select the text, press Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog, click Text Effects, expand Text Fill, and choose Solid fill or Gradient fill. Pick your colors, then click OK twice.

Apply a Solid Fill (the Quick Way)

1. Select the text.
2. On the Home tab, click the arrow next to Font Color (the A with a colored bar).
3. Pick a color, or click More Colors for any shade.

This is a solid text fill. To make it partly transparent, use the Format Text Effects method below, which has a Transparency slider.

Apply a Gradient Fill to Text

1. Select the text. Gradients look best on large, bold text such as a title.
2. Press Ctrl + D, or right-click the text and choose Font.
3. Click Text Effects at the bottom of the Font dialog.
4. On the Text Fill & Outline tab (the A icon), expand Text Fill.
5. Select Gradient fill.
6. Choose a Preset gradient, or build your own:
   • Type: Linear, Radial, Rectangular or Path.
   • Direction and Angle: for example, 0° for left to right or 90° for top to bottom.
   • Gradient stops: click a stop and set its Color, Position and Transparency. Use the + and x buttons to add or remove stops.
7. Click OK, then OK again.

A shortcut: on the Home tab, click Font Color > Gradient and choose a light or dark variation of the current color.

Add an Outline to Filled Text

In the same Format Text Effects dialog, expand Text Outline, choose Solid line or Gradient line, and set the color and Width. A thin dark outline makes light or gradient-filled text easier to read. Choose No fill with a solid outline for hollow, outlined letters.

Fill WordArt or Text in a Text Box

1. Click the WordArt or text box, then select the text inside it.
2. On the Shape Format tab (called Drawing Tools Format in Word 2016), click the arrow next to Text Fill in the WordArt Styles group.
3. Pick a color, or point to Gradient for gradient options.

Don’t confuse this with Shape Fill, which colors the box behind the text.

Can You Fill Text With a Picture in Word?

Word doesn’t offer a picture or texture fill for text. If you need letters filled with a photo, try one of these:

• Create the text in PowerPoint (Shape Format > Text Fill > Picture), then copy it and paste into Word as a picture.
• Use an image editor to make picture-filled text and insert it as an image.

Remove a Text Fill

• Select the text and choose Home > Font Color > Automatic to return to the default color.
• Or press Ctrl + Spacebar to clear character formatting, or click Clear All Formatting (the A with an eraser) to remove all formatting.

Tips for Good Results

• Use bold, heavy fonts; thin letters don’t show gradients well.
• Keep enough contrast with the background so the text stays readable, especially when printed.
• Save your styled heading as a Style (Home > Styles > Create a Style) to reuse it.
• Text effects may look different or be lost if you save as an older .doc file. Keep the .docx format.

To undo heavy formatting, read how to remove bold in Word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Text Effects grayed out?

The document may be in Compatibility Mode (older .doc format). Click File > Info > Convert to upgrade it to the current format.

Does this work in Word for Mac?

Yes. Select the text, choose Format > Font > Text Effects, and use the Text Fill options.

Can I apply text fill in Word for the web?

Word for the web supports font color and highlight, but not gradient text fills. Use the desktop app for gradients.

Will gradient text print correctly?

Yes, on color printers. On black-and-white printers, gradients print as shades of gray.

Summary

1. Select the text and press Ctrl + D.
2. Click Text Effects and expand Text Fill.
3. Choose Solid fill or Gradient fill and set the colors.
4. Add a Text Outline if you want, then click OK twice.