How to Highlight Everything in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking to make your Google Docs document stand out or emphasize key sections, highlighting text is a great way to do it. While highlighting individual sections is straightforward, you might be wondering how to quickly highlight everything in your document. Whether you’re preparing a presentation, reviewing a draft, or simply organizing your notes, this guide will show you how to highlight all text in Google Docs efficiently.

Step 1: Open Your Google Document

Start by opening the Google Docs document you want to work on. If you're not already logged in, go to Google Docs and sign in with your Google account. Locate your document in the Google Drive or recent documents section and click to open it.

Step 2: Select All Text

To highlight everything in your document, you need to select all the text first. There are two main methods to do this:

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts : On a Windows or Chromebook computer, press Ctrl + A on your keyboard. If you're using a Mac, press Command + A. This will select all the text in your document.
2. Using the Menu : Alternatively, you can go to the menu at the top of the page. Click on Edit, and then select Select all from the dropdown menu. This will have the same effect as the keyboard shortcut.

Step 3: Apply the Highlight

Once all the text is selected, you can apply the highlight:

1. Open the Highlight Tool : Look at the toolbar at the top of the Google Docs interface. Find the highlighter icon—it looks like a little marker or pen. If you don’t see it immediately, it might be under the "Text color" menu (the icon with a letter 'A' and a color palette).
2. Choose Your Highlight Color : Click on the highlighter icon to reveal the color options. Select the color you wish to use for highlighting. You can choose from the preset colors or click on "Custom" to select a specific color.
3. Apply the Highlight : After selecting your color, the text in your document will be highlighted with the chosen color. If you have a large document, this might take a moment.

Step 4: Review Your Document

Once the highlight is applied, review your document to ensure that all the text is highlighted as intended. If you notice any areas that were missed or that need a different color, you can repeat the process as needed.

FAQ

1. Can I highlight specific sections after highlighting everything?

Yes, you can. After highlighting all the text, simply click and drag to select the specific sections you want to change or remove the highlight from. Use the highlighter tool again to apply a new color or remove the highlight.

2. Is there a way to remove the highlight from the entire document?

To remove the highlight from the entire document, select all text as described in Step 2. Then, open the highlighter tool and choose the option for "None" or "Remove highlight." This will clear the highlight from all text.

3. What if I want to use a custom highlight color?

Google Docs allows you to use custom colors for highlighting. After clicking the highlighter icon, choose the "Custom" option to select any color you prefer. You can enter a specific hex code if you have one.

4. Can I highlight text using Google Docs on a mobile device?

Yes, you can highlight text on Google Docs using a mobile device. Open the document in the Google Docs app, tap and hold on the text to select it, then choose the highlighter tool from the formatting menu to apply your desired color.