Getting rid of the grey highlight in Microsoft Word is pretty straightforward. You just need to navigate through the formatting options and remove the pesky highlight. Here’s a quick overview: simply select the text, go to the ‘Home’ tab, locate the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button, and choose ‘No Color’.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Get Rid of Grey Highlight in Word
What follows are the steps to remove any grey highlight from your text in Microsoft Word. These steps will make your document look clean and professional.
Step 1: Select the Text
The first step is to highlight the text that has the grey highlight you want to remove.
Click and drag your mouse over the text, or hold down the Shift key and use the arrow keys to select the text.
Step 2: Go to the ‘Home’ Tab
The next step is to navigate to the ‘Home’ tab on the Word ribbon.
The ‘Home’ tab contains most of the formatting options you’ll need for common tasks, including removing highlights.
Step 3: Locate the ‘Text Highlight Color’ Button
Look for the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button in the toolbar.
This button looks like a marker and is usually right next to the font color button.
Step 4: Click the ‘Text Highlight Color’ Button
Click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button to open a dropdown menu.
This menu will show various highlight colors and an option for ‘No Color’.
Step 5: Select ‘No Color’
Finally, choose ‘No Color’ from the dropdown menu.
This will remove any highlighting from your selected text, making it look normal again.
After you complete these steps, you’ll notice that the grey highlight is gone, leaving your text looking clean and professional.
Tips for How to Get Rid of Grey Highlight in Word
- If you frequently deal with highlighting issues, familiarize yourself with shortcut keys like Ctrl+Shift+H to toggle the highlight.
- Make sure the grey highlight isn’t part of a style that’s applied to the text. If it is, you’ll need to modify the style.
- If the ‘No Color’ option doesn’t work, try clearing all formatting by selecting the text and choosing ‘Clear Formatting’ under the ‘Home’ tab.
- Consider checking the ‘Design’ tab if you’re working with themes that might be affecting text background colors.
- Always save a copy of your document before making large formatting changes, just in case something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t the grey highlight go away?
Sometimes, the grey highlight can be part of a text style. In that case, you need to modify or remove the style associated with the text.
Can I remove the highlight from multiple sections at once?
Yes, you can. Hold down the Ctrl key and select multiple sections, then follow the steps to remove the highlight.
What’s the difference between highlight and shading?
Highlighting adds a color background to the text itself, while shading affects the entire paragraph background.
Can I change the highlight to a different color instead of removing it?
Absolutely! Instead of selecting ‘No Color’, choose any other color from the ‘Text Highlight Color’ dropdown menu.
How do I make sure I don’t accidentally add a highlight again?
Be mindful when using the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button and check your formatting frequently. You can also lock certain styles to avoid accidental changes.
Summary
- Select the text.
- Go to the ‘Home’ tab.
- Locate the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button.
- Click the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button.
- Select ‘No Color’.
Conclusion
Getting rid of that annoying grey highlight in your Word document doesn’t have to be a hassle. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your text looks as clean and professional as possible. So, the next time you come across an unwanted highlight, you’ll know exactly what to do. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you get familiar with these formatting tools, the easier it becomes to make your documents look exactly how you want them. If you found this article helpful, consider exploring more Word tips and tricks to make your document editing experience even better. 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.