This tutorial shows two ways to highlight text in Microsoft Word.
First, we will look at the basic method to highlight using the Home tab. Then, we will look at an advanced method to highlight using the Draw tab. We will also look at how to remove highlights for each of these methods.
The bonus section at the end shows how to add highlights to every occurrence of a word or phrase in the whole document.
Table of Contents
- Basic Method: How to Highlight Text Using the Home Tab
- How to Remove Highlights Added from the Home Tab
- Advanced Method: How to Highlight Text Using the Draw Tab
- How to Remove Highlights Added from the Draw Tab
- Bonus Section: How to Highlight Every Occurrence of a Word or Phrase
Watch this tutorial in real-time on my YouTube channel:
The basic method applies to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. The advanced method only applies to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, and Word 2021.
The steps are similar but more limited in Word for Mac. These steps don’t apply to Word for the web or Word for mobile.
Basic Method: How to Highlight Text Using the Home Tab
- Select the text you want to highlight.
- Select the Home tab in the ribbon.
- Select the Text Highlight Color (marker icon) menu arrow.
- Choose a highlight color from the drop-down menu.
The selected text should be highlighted with your chosen color.
Pro Tip: Highlight Multiple Words or Phrases
- Select the Text Highlight Color menu arrow.
- Choose a color from the drop-down menu.
- Drag your cursor across any text you want to highlight.
- To stop highlighting, select the Text Highlight Color menu arrow and then select Stop Highlighting in the drop-down menu. Alternatively, press the Esc button on your keyboard.
How to Remove Highlights Added from the Home Tab
You can remove highlights added from the Home tab individually or all at once.
Remove Highlights Individually
- Select the highlighted text.
- Select the Home tab.
- Select the Text Highlight Color menu arrow.
- Select No Color from the drop-down menu.
Remove Highlights All at Once
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all the text.
- Select the Home tab.
- Select the Text Highlight Color menu arrow.
- Select No Color from the drop-down menu.
Advanced Method: How to Highlight Text Using the Draw Tab
The Draw tab lets you highlight text with digital ink. This is especially useful on a touchscreen device or when you’re using a stylus.
- Select the Draw tab.
- Select Highlighter in the drawing tools.
- Select the Highlighter menu arrow.
- Select a thickness from the drop-down menu.
- Choose a color from the drop-down menu.
Pro Tip: Customize the Highlight Color
- Select More Colors from the Highlighter drop-down menu.
- Select the Standard tab in the Colors dialog box to choose from an additional selection of standard colors
- (Alternative) Select the Custom tab in the Colors dialog box to enter a custom RGB, HSL, or HEX color code
- Select the OK button.
- Select Snap to Text if you want the highlight to have perfect edges. Don’t select this option if you want the highlight to appear hand-drawn.
- Drag your cursor across the text you want to highlight.
- Press the Esc key on your keyboard to disengage the Highlighter.
How to Remove Highlights Added from the Draw Tab
Highlights added with Snap to Text are removed differently from hand-drawn highlights.
Remove Snap-to-Text Highlights Individually
- Select the highlighted text.
- Select the Home tab.
- Select the Text Highlight Color menu arrow.
- Select No Color from the drop-down menu.
Remove Snap-to-Text Highlights All at Once
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all the text.
- Select the Home tab.
- Select the Text Highlight Color menu arrow.
- Select No Color from the drop-down menu.
Remove Hand-Drawn Highlights Individually
- Ensure the Highlighter in the Draw tab is not active.
- Select the highlight.
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Remove Hand-Drawn Highlights All at Once
- Select the Home tab.
- Select Select in the Editing group.
- Select Selection Pane from the drop-down menu.
- Press the Ctrl key as you select the ink (being careful not to select other objects).
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Bonus Section: How to Highlight Every Occurrence of a Word or Phrase
- Select the Home tab.
- Ensure you don’t have any text selected in the document.
- Select the Text Highlight Color (marker icon) menu arrow.
- Choose a highlight color from the drop-down menu.
- Select Replace in the Editing group.
- Enter the word or phrase in the Find what text box in the Find and Replace dialog box.
- Reenter the word or phrase in the Replace with text box.
- Select the Format button.
- Select Highlight from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Replace All button.
- Select the OK button in the information dialog box.
- Select the Close button.
Every occurrence of the word or phrase should now be highlighted.