How to remove or change font backcolor, paragraph background color or shading in MS Word?

Question

I copy / pasted some code examples from a website and the results include the backcolor shading on the text. I would like to remove this backcolor.

Tried changing Paragraph shading, did not work.

Tried Font, Highlight color, did not work.

Tried a bunch of stuff and discovered the trick is in the details so I wanted to share this solution.

Answer 1

How to remove text shading (backcolor, fill)

s1: Select TEXT only

IMPORTANT: Use CTRL + SELECT to select each LINE (NOT PARAGRAPH MARK, turn on 'Show Paragaph marks' )

Tip: This may be easier if 'Smart selection' is OFF (Options, Advanced, Editing options, Use smart paragraph selection)

Tip: It seems easier to select text only if you selet from the end of each line to the beginning

right

wrong

(if you select wrong (the Paragraph marks) you will not see the shading in the next step)

s2: Home > Paragraphs, Borders (and shading)

s3: Change Fill to 'No Color'

before

after

Note: If you don't see any shading be sure your did not select then entire paragraphs vs just the text.

result