If you’ve ever highlighted text in Microsoft Word and later decided you want to remove that highlighting, you’re in luck. It’s a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Essentially, you’ll select the highlighted text and use the highlighting tool to revert it to no highlight. Let’s walk through it.
How to Unhighlight in Word
In this section, we’ll cover the precise steps needed to unhighlight text in Microsoft Word. By following these instructions, you’ll know how to clear unwanted highlights in no time.
Step 1: Select the highlighted text
First, click and drag your cursor over the text that you want to unhighlight.
Selecting the text tells Word exactly what area you want to affect. Ensure you cover all the highlighted text; otherwise, some portions may remain highlighted.
Step 2: Open the Highlighting Tool
Next, go to the ‘Home’ tab in the Word toolbar and locate the Highlighting Tool icon, which looks like a marker.
The Highlighting Tool is where you initially added the highlight, and it’s also where you can remove it. It’s typically in the ‘Font’ section of the toolbar.
Step 3: Set Highlight Color to ‘No Color’
In the Highlighting Tool dropdown menu, select ‘No Color’.
By choosing ‘No Color,’ you’re effectively telling Word to remove any highlight that has been applied to your selected text.
Step 4: Click to Confirm
After setting the highlight color to ‘No Color,’ click anywhere outside the selected text to apply the change.
Clicking outside the text finalizes the removal of the highlighting. Your text should now appear normal, without any highlights.
Step 5: Save Your Document
Finally, don’t forget to save your document to keep the changes.
Saving the document ensures that your unhighlighting work is not lost. Use ‘Ctrl + S’ as a quick shortcut to save.
After you’ve completed these steps, your highlighted text should be back to normal, blending seamlessly with the rest of your document.
Tips for How to Unhighlight in Word
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts: For quick access, use ‘Ctrl + A’ to select all text, especially useful if you have multiple highlights.
- Check for Hidden Highlights: Sometimes, highlights may be hidden in footnotes or headers. Make sure to check those areas as well.
- Use ‘Find and Replace’: If you have many highlights, use the ‘Find and Replace’ feature to locate and remove them quickly.
- Customize the Toolbar: Add the Highlighting Tool to your Quick Access Toolbar for faster access in the future.
- Experiment on a Copy: If you’re unsure, try unhighlighting on a copy of your document to avoid any unintended changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find the Highlighting Tool?
If you can’t find the Highlighting Tool, ensure you’re in the ‘Home’ tab on the toolbar. It should be near the ‘Font’ section.
Can I undo the unhighlighting?
Yes, you can undo it by pressing ‘Ctrl + Z’ immediately after making the change.
What if I only want to unhighlight part of the text?
Simply select the specific portion you want to unhighlight and follow the same steps.
Does this work for different versions of Word?
Yes, the steps are generally the same across different versions of Word.
Can I remove highlights from multiple sections at once?
Yes, by holding the ‘Ctrl’ key, you can select multiple sections and then remove the highlight.
Summary
- Select the highlighted text.
- Open the Highlighting Tool.
- Set highlight color to ‘No Color.’
- Click to confirm.
- Save your document.
Conclusion
And there you have it! Unhighlighting text in Word is a breeze once you know where to look. Whether you’ve accidentally overdone the highlighting or just need to clean up a document, these steps will help you get your text back to normal.
For future reference, remember to use the Highlighting Tool wisely and keep an eye on any extraneous highlights that might sneak into your document. Knowing how to unhighlight in Word not only improves the readability of your text but also gives you better control over your documents.
If this guide was helpful, consider exploring other Word features that can streamline your work. Happy editing!
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.