The fastest way to change text color
To change text color, select the words you want to change, then click the text color button in your toolbar. The button usually looks like an "A" with a colored line underneath. Click the small arrow next to it to pick a new color from the palette that appears.
The exact location of this button depends on which program you are using — Word, Google Docs, Gmail, or your email client — but the process is the same in all of them. You select first, then change the color. If you try to change the color before selecting text, nothing will happen.
This works for individual words, whole sentences, or entire paragraphs. You can also change the color of text you have not yet typed by selecting the color first, then typing — the new text will appear in that color until you change it again.
Key Takeaways
- Always select your text before clicking the color button, or the change will not apply.
- In Word and Google Docs, the text color button is in the main toolbar and usually shows an "A" with a colored underline.
- You can change the color of text you have not yet typed by selecting a color first, then typing normally.
- Most programs let you pick from a preset palette or create a custom color by clicking "More Colors" or a similar option.
- Changing text color does not affect the text itself — only how it looks on screen or in print.
Changing text color in Microsoft Word
Open your document and find the text you want to change. Click at the start of the word or sentence, then drag your mouse to the end to select it. The selected text will appear highlighted in blue.
Look at the toolbar at the top of the screen. Find the button that looks like an "A" with a colored bar underneath — this is the font color button. Click the small arrow or dropdown triangle next to it. A color palette will pop up showing you preset colors to choose from.
Click the color you want. The selected text will change to that color immediately. If you do not see the color you want in the preset palette, click "More Colors" at the bottom of the palette. A larger color picker will open where you can choose from thousands of colors or enter a specific color code if you know one.
Changing text color in Google Docs
Open your Google Docs document and select the text you want to change by clicking and dragging from the start to the end of the words. The text will highlight in blue when it is selected.
In the toolbar at the top, look for the text color button — it looks like an "A" with a colored line underneath. Click the small arrow next to it to open the color menu. Google Docs shows you a grid of preset colors, plus a white box at the top right that says "More colors".
Click any color from the grid to apply it instantly. If you want a custom color, click "More colors" to open a larger picker where you can adjust the shade, brightness, and saturation, or paste in a hex color code if you have one. Google Docs will remember the last few colors you used and show them at the top of the menu next time.
Changing text color in Gmail and email
The process in Gmail is nearly identical to Google Docs. Click in the compose box where you are writing your email, then select the text you want to color by clicking and dragging. Once the text is highlighted, click the text color button in the toolbar — it looks like an "A" with a colored underline.
A color palette will appear. Click the color you want, or click "More colors" for additional options. The text will change color in your draft immediately. Remember that not all email clients display colors the same way, so a color that looks bright on your screen might appear different to the person reading your email.
If you are using Outlook or another desktop email program, the text color button is usually in the formatting toolbar. Select your text, click the color button, and choose from the palette. The steps are the same, though the button location may vary slightly depending on your version.
Changing text color before you type
You can set a text color before you start typing, so the new text appears in that color automatically. Click where you want to start typing, then click the text color button and select your color. Start typing — your words will appear in the color you chose.
The text will stay that color until you change it again. To switch back to black or your default color, click the text color button and select black from the palette. This is useful when you want to highlight a section of your document or email in a specific color without having to select and change it afterward.
Undoing a text color change
If you change text to a color you do not like, you can undo it immediately by pressing Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on Mac. This will revert the text to its previous color.
If you want to change the color back without undoing other work, select the text again and click the text color button. Choose the color you want instead. You can change a color as many times as you need — there is no limit to how many times you can select and recolor the same text.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is clicking the text color button without selecting text first. If you do this, nothing will happen, and you might think the button is broken. Always select your text by clicking and dragging before you click the color button.
Another mistake is clicking the main color button instead of the dropdown arrow next to it. Some programs show a solid color button with a small arrow beside it. Clicking the arrow opens the palette; clicking the button itself applies the last color you used. If you want to choose a new color, always click the arrow.
A third issue is forgetting that text color and background color are different. If you want to highlight text with a colored background (like a highlighter marker), look for a separate button — usually called "text highlight" or "background color" — not the text color button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of just one letter in a word?
Yes. Select just that letter by clicking before it and dragging to after it, then apply the color. You can change individual letters, words, or any portion of text — the selection size does not matter.
What if the color I want is not in the preset palette?
Click "More Colors" or "Custom Color" at the bottom of the color menu. This opens a larger picker where you can choose from thousands of colors, adjust brightness and saturation, or enter a specific hex color code if you have one.
Will the text color show up the same way for everyone who reads my document?
In Word and Google Docs, colors should display consistently across devices. In email, colors may look slightly different depending on the recipient's email client and settings. Some older email programs may not display colors at all.
How do I change text color back to black?
Select the text, click the text color button, and choose black from the palette. If you want to remove all formatting and return to the default color, select the text and press Ctrl+M on Windows or Command+M on Mac to clear direct formatting.
Can I change the color of a hyperlink?
You can change the color of link text the same way you change any text color — select it and click the text color button. However, changing a link's color does not change its function. The link will still work, but it will appear in your chosen color instead of the default blue.