Getting rid of the grey box around text in Word is easier than you might think. It’s usually caused by text shading, table cells, or fields. You’ll need to adjust the formatting settings to remove it. Follow the steps below to clear up your document.
How to Get Rid of Grey Box Around Text in Word
In the following steps, you’ll learn how to remove the grey box around text in Microsoft Word. We’ll cover different scenarios so you can fix the issue no matter what’s causing it.
Step 1: Select the Text with the Grey Box
Click and drag to highlight the text that has the grey box around it.
When you select the text, you’re isolating the area where the formatting needs to be fixed. This tells Word exactly where to apply the changes.
Step 2: Go to the Home Tab
Navigate to the ‘Home’ tab on the Ribbon at the top of Word.
The ‘Home’ tab contains most of the basic formatting tools you’ll need to fix the issue, making it the best place to start.
Step 3: Click on the Shading Dropdown
In the ‘Paragraph’ group, click on the dropdown arrow next to the ‘Shading’ button (it looks like a paint bucket).
The ‘Shading’ dropdown lets you control the background color of the text. By accessing it, you can see if there’s any shading applied that needs to be removed.
Step 4: Select ‘No Color’
In the dropdown menu, select ‘No Color’ to remove any shading that might be causing the grey box.
By selecting ‘No Color,’ you tell Word to remove any shading from the highlighted text, which often solves the problem immediately.
Step 5: Deselect the Text
Click anywhere outside the selected text to deselect it.
Deselecting the text ensures that the changes are saved and gives you a clear view of the updated formatting.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the grey box around your text should be gone. If it persists, the issue might be due to table settings or fields, which we’ll address in the tips section below.
Tips for Getting Rid of Grey Box Around Text in Word
- Check Table Settings: Sometimes, the grey box could be from a table cell’s background color. Click inside the table, go to ‘Table Tools,’ and check the shading settings.
- Look for Fields: If your text is a field, it might have grey shading by default. Right-click the field and choose ‘Toggle Field Codes’ to see if this is the case.
- Clear Formatting: Use the ‘Clear All Formatting’ button in the ‘Home’ tab to reset text to default formatting.
- Use ‘Reveal Formatting’: Press Shift + F1 to open the ‘Reveal Formatting’ pane and inspect all applied format settings.
- Check Paragraph Settings: Sometimes, the grey box is applied as a paragraph background. Right-click the paragraph, select ‘Paragraph,’ and clear any background settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the grey box around text in Word?
The grey box is typically caused by text shading, table cell background colors, or fields. Identifying the source will help you remove it effectively.
How do I remove shading from a table cell?
Select the table cell, go to ‘Table Tools,’ and adjust the shading settings to ‘No Color.’ This will remove any background color applied to the cell.
Why do fields have a grey background?
Fields often have a grey background to differentiate them from regular text. You can remove this by toggling field codes or changing field shading settings in Word’s options.
Can I remove formatting without affecting the text?
Yes, by using the ‘Clear All Formatting’ button in the ‘Home’ tab, you can strip all formatting while keeping the text intact.
What if the grey box still doesn’t go away?
If the grey box persists, double-check your shading, table, and field settings. You might also want to use the ‘Reveal Formatting’ pane to spot any overlooked issues.
Summary
- Select the text with the grey box.
- Go to the Home tab.
- Click on the Shading dropdown.
- Select ‘No Color.’
- Deselect the text.
Conclusion
Removing the grey box around text in Word doesn’t have to be a headache. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly and effectively clear up your document. Remember, most issues stem from shading, table cells, or fields, so focus on these areas. If you encounter persistent problems, don’t hesitate to explore Word’s other formatting tools or consult additional resources.
Getting rid of the grey box is just one way to make your documents look more professional and polished. Keep exploring and mastering Word to make your work stand out. Happy formatting!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.