Change text color by selecting text first, then using the font color tool

To change the color of text in Microsoft Word, highlight the words you want to recolor, then click the arrow next to the font color button in the toolbar and pick a new color. The font color button looks like an "A" with a colored bar underneath it. This works the same way in Word on Windows, Mac, and the web version.

The fastest route is to select your text, click the small arrow next to the font color icon, and choose from the color palette that appears. If you want a color not shown in the quick palette, click "More Colors" at the bottom to open the full color picker.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to change by clicking and dragging across it, or triple-click to select an entire paragraph.
  • The font color button is in the Home tab toolbar and shows an "A" with a colored underline; click the arrow next to it to see color options.
  • You can change text color in Word on Windows, Mac, and the web version using the same steps.
  • If you want to change the background color behind text instead of the text itself, use the highlighter tool next to the font color button.

Where to find the font color button in different Word versions

In Word on Windows and Mac, the font color button sits in the Home tab at the top of the screen. Look for the toolbar row labeled "Font" — the color button is there alongside Bold, Italic, and Underline. It shows a capital "A" with a colored bar or line underneath.

In Word Online (the free web version), the same button appears in the toolbar at the top. The layout is simpler than the desktop version, but the font color button is still visible and works the same way.

If you cannot find the button, make sure you are on the Home tab. Some Word versions hide formatting tools until you click the Home tab or expand the ribbon.

Step-by-step: selecting text and applying a new color

Step 1: Select the text. Click at the start of the word or phrase you want to recolor. Hold down your mouse button and drag to the end of the text. Release the mouse. The text should now be highlighted in blue.

Step 2: Open the color menu. Look for the font color button (the "A" with the colored bar) in the Home tab toolbar. Click the small arrow or triangle next to it, not the button itself. A color palette will pop up.

Step 3: Pick a color. Click any color in the palette. Your selected text will change to that color immediately. If the color you want is not in the palette, click "More Colors" at the bottom to open the full color picker, where you can choose from thousands of colors or enter a specific color code.

Changing the background color behind text instead

If you want to highlight text with a background color (like a highlighter marker), use the text highlight tool instead of the font color button. It sits right next to the font color button and looks like a marker or pen.

Select your text the same way, then click the arrow next to the highlighter button and pick a background color. This leaves your text black or its current color but adds a colored background behind it. This is useful for marking important passages without changing the text color itself.

Undoing a color change

If you change text to a color you do not like, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on Mac to undo the change. You can undo multiple times to go back several steps.

You can also select the colored text again and click the font color button. At the top of the color palette, you will see "Automatic" — click that to return the text to the default color (usually black).

Changing color for text you have not typed yet

You can set a text color before you start typing. Click where you want to type, then click the font color button arrow and pick a color. Any text you type from that point will be in the new color until you change it again.

This is useful if you are writing a document where certain sections need to be different colors. Just set the color, type your text, then change the color again when you are ready to move to the next section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of just one letter in a word?

Yes. Click and drag to select just that letter, then apply the color. Word treats each letter as selectable text, so you can recolor individual characters if needed.

What if the color I pick looks different on screen than when I print?

Printer colors often differ from screen colors because printers use different color technology. If the printed color matters, print a test page first. You can also click "More Colors" and choose a color from the "Standard" tab, which tends to print more predictably than custom colors.

How do I change the color of a hyperlink?

Select the hyperlink text and use the font color button the same way. The link will stay clickable but will now display in your chosen color. Some templates override link colors automatically, so the color may revert if you change the document template.

Can I change multiple separate sections of text to different colors at once?

No, you have to change each section one at a time. Select the first section, apply a color, then select the next section and apply a different color. There is no way to select multiple non-adjacent sections and color them all at once.