Skip to main content

Change the color of text, objects, and backgrounds

From Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, you can:* Change the color of text, objects, and backgrounds

  • Create custom colors through HEX values, RGB values, or the eyedropper tool

Change the color of text or highlight text​

  1. On your computer, open a file in one of the following programs:
  2. Highlight text you want to edit.
  3. To edit:
    • The color of the text, in the toolbar, click Text color Color text.
    • The highlight of the text, in the toolbar, click Highlight color Highlight text. This is only available in Google Docs and Slides.
  4. Choose a preset color or create a custom color.

Change the color of cells, tables, and text boxes​

  1. On your computer, open a file in one of the following programs:
  2. Click the text box or highlight the cells you want to edit.
  3. To edit:
    • The fill color of the cells or box, in the toolbar, click Fill color Fill color.
    • The border color of the cells or box, in the toolbar, click Border color Border color.
      • In Google Sheets, click Borders Borders and then Border color Border color.
  4. Choose a preset color or create a custom color.

[Create a custom color]​

You can create a custom color through entering Hex or RGB values, or you can use the eyedropper tool to select a color from somewhere on your screen. After you create a custom color, you’ll be able to use that color anywhere else in that file.

Use Hex or RGB values to create a custom color​

  1. On your computer, open a file in one of the following programs:
  2. In the toolbar, click Text color Color text or any other tool with color options.
  3. Under “Custom,” click Add a custom color Add a custom color.
  4. Enter the Hex code or the RGB values for the color you want.
  5. Click OK.

Use the eyedropper tool to select a custom color​

Important: This feature is supported on Chrome and Edge browsers.

  1. On your computer, open a file in one of the following programs:
  2. In the toolbar, click Text color Color text or any other tool with color options.
  3. Under “Custom,” click Pick a custom color Pick a custom color.
  4. Use the eyedropper tool to click any color on your screen.