Accidentally highlighted a chunk of text in Word? Don’t sweat it! Removing that pesky highlight is easier than you might think. It’s just a few clicks away, and I’ll walk you through every step. By the end of this, you’ll be a highlight-removing whiz.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Remove Highlight in Word
Before we dive into the steps, let’s get a quick overview. Removing highlight from your text in Word involves selecting the highlighted text and then either using a button on the Home tab or a keyboard shortcut to remove the highlight. Simple, right? Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Select the Highlighted Text
Click and drag over the highlighted text you want to remove the highlight from.
Selecting the text is the first step. Make sure you’ve got all the highlighted portions you want to remove selected. It’s just like selecting text to copy or delete, but this time, we’re deselecting the highlight.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Home’ Tab
Navigate to the ‘Home’ tab at the top of your Word document.
The Home tab is like your command center in Word. It’s where all the basic formatting tools are located, including the one we need to remove the highlight.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ Button
In the ‘Font’ group on the ‘Home’ tab, click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button.
This button may look like a little paint bucket. If the highlight doesn’t vanish right away, don’t panic—there’s one more step.
Step 4: Select ‘No Color’
In the drop-down menu that appears, select ‘No Color.’
This tells Word, "Hey, I don’t want any highlight on this text." Click it, and watch the highlight disappear like magic.
After you’ve completed these steps, the highlight you didn’t want will be gone, leaving your document looking crisp and clean. Now, let’s move on to some handy tips that can make your Word experience even smoother.
Tips for Removing Highlight in Word
- Quick shortcut: Pressing ‘Ctrl + Spacebar’ after selecting the text will remove the formatting, including highlights.
- If you’re removing highlights frequently, consider customizing the Quick Access Toolbar to include the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button for faster access.
- Sometimes, highlights may be part of a style. If removing the highlight doesn’t work, check if the text is part of a styled heading or paragraph and modify the style accordingly.
- Use the ‘Clear Formatting’ button in the ‘Font’ group on the ‘Home’ tab to remove all formatting from selected text, including highlights.
- Remember, you can also use the ‘Undo’ button or press ‘Ctrl + Z’ to quickly undo a highlight if you’ve just applied it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Highlight in Word
How do I remove all highlights in a document?
Select the entire document by pressing ‘Ctrl + A’, then follow the steps to remove the highlight.
Can I remove highlights from multiple selections at once?
Yes, hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key while selecting different highlighted sections, then remove the highlight from all selected areas at once.
Why won’t my highlight remove when I select ‘No Color’?
Ensure you’re not in ‘Track Changes’ mode, as this can sometimes interfere with formatting changes. Also, check if the highlight is part of a style or theme.
Can I remove highlights from a read-only document?
You’ll need editing permissions to make changes, including removing highlights. If you have permission, enable editing before attempting to remove highlights.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to remove highlights?
While there’s no direct shortcut for just removing highlights, ‘Ctrl + Spacebar’ will remove all formatting, including highlights.
Summary
- Select the highlighted text.
- Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
- Click on the ‘Text Highlight Color’ button.
- Select ‘No Color.’
Conclusion
Removing highlight in Word is a cakewalk when you know the steps, and it’s a nifty trick to keep your documents looking professional. Whether you’re polishing up a resume, an essay, or a report, knowing how to manipulate text formatting is an essential skill. With the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you should now feel confident in your ability to remove highlights from text in Word without breaking a sweat. Remember, practice makes perfect—so don’t hesitate to try these steps out the next time you’re faced with an unwanted highlight. Happy editing!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.