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How to Highlight Text in Word

Make the important parts of a document impossible to miss on a second read.

  1. Select the text to highlight

    Drag to select the section you want to mark with highlighter color.

  2. Click Home β†’ Text Highlight Color

    In the "Font" group on the "Home" tab, click the highlighter-shaped icon.

  3. Choose the color you want

    Click the small arrow next to the icon to pick yellow, green, pink, or another highlight color.

  4. Keep applying it to multiple spots

    With a color selected, your cursor turns into a highlighter, letting you drag across multiple sections in a row.

  5. Why this matters

    Marking important or to-be-reviewed sections so they stand out lets you find that information much faster later.

Make key information jump out on a re-read

In a long document, marking the key points or the sections that still need review with highlighter color means you can find exactly what matters just by skimming, instead of rereading the whole thing from the top.

Highlighting survives printing

Unlike some on-screen-only formatting, highlight color is preserved when you print the document, so if you use a black-and-white printer, be aware bright colors will show up as gray shading rather than disappearing β€” plan your color choices with that in mind if the printed copy matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove a highlight color?

Select the text you want to clear, then choose "No Color" from the highlight color list to remove the highlighting.

Does the highlight color show up when I print?

Yes β€” highlighting is preserved on the printed page, though it will appear as gray shading rather than color on a black-and-white printer.