How to Change Background Color in Google Docs

Changing the background color in Google Docs lets you personalize a document or set a specific tone for a project, such as a subtle cream for a story or a dark theme for a presentation. This guide walks you through the two main methods: changing the page color for the entire document and highlighting selected text. You’ll need a Google account and a document open in Google Docs.

What You’ll Need

• A Google account (free)
• A document open in Google Docs (docs.google.com)
• Internet connection (Google Docs is cloud-based)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Change the Page Background Color (Whole Document)

1. Open your document in Google Docs.
2. Click on File in the top menu bar.
3. Select Page setup from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Page setup dialog box, click the Page color button (it looks like a small paint can or a color swatch).
5. Choose a color from the palette. For more options, click the + (plus) icon to open a custom color picker where you can enter a hex code or use the slider.
6. Click OK to apply the color to every page in the document.
7. If you want this to be the default for all new documents, click Set as default in the Page setup dialog before clicking OK.

Method 2: Highlight Specific Text or Paragraphs

1. Select the text you want to change by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.
2. Click the Highlight color button in the toolbar (it looks like a marker pen with a colored line underneath).
3. Choose a color from the palette. The selected text will get a background highlight.
4. To remove highlighting, select the text again, click the highlight button, and choose None.

Note: The highlight method only affects the selected text, not the entire page. For a full-page color change, use Method 1.

Common Mistakes

• Using highlight instead of page color: Highlighting only colors the text area, not the whole page. If you want the entire background changed, use Page setup.
• Not selecting text before highlighting: If you click the highlight button without selecting text, nothing happens (or it may apply to the next typed character).
• Forgetting that page color applies to all pages: Google Docs does not allow different page colors for different sections in the same document. The page color you set applies to the entire document.
• Choosing too dark a color: A very dark background can make black text hard to read. If you choose a dark color, consider changing the text color to white for contrast.

Tips

• Use a subtle color for readability: For most documents, a light pastel or cream color (like #FDF6E3) is easier on the eyes than a bright or dark color.
• Set a custom color with hex codes: In the Page setup dialog, click the + icon to enter a specific hex code (e.g., #F0F0F0 for light gray). This is useful for brand colors or matching a theme.
• Make it default: If you frequently use a particular background (like a dark mode), click “Set as defaultâ€� in Page setup so every new document starts with that color.
• Use highlighting for emphasis: Highlighting is great for marking important sentences or notes, but use it sparingly so it doesn’t distract.
• Print consideration: If you plan to print the document, remember that colored backgrounds use a lot of ink. Consider a very light color or skip it for print.

Troubleshooting

Why can’t I see the Page color option? Make sure you are in a Google Docs document, not Google Slides or Sheets. In Google Docs, the option is under File > Page setup. If you don’t see it, try refreshing the browser or using a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

The color didn’t apply to my whole page. Double-check that you used Page setup, not the highlight tool. Also, if you have a table or image that covers the page, it might not show the background color behind it.

My text is unreadable after changing the background. Change the text color. Select all (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), then choose a light text color (like white) from the text color button in the toolbar.

I want to change only one page’s background. Google Docs doesn’t support per-page background colors. As a workaround, you can insert a text box or a table that covers the page and color it, but that’s clunky. Alternatively, split the document into separate files and combine them when exporting.

My changes are not saving. Google Docs autosaves, but if you’re offline, changes may not sync. Check your internet connection and ensure the document is not in “offline� mode. You can also manually click the “Saving…� status to see if it’s stuck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the background color of only one page in Google Docs?

No, the page color setting applies to every page in the document. There is no built-in way to set different background colors per page. A workaround is to insert a table or drawing that covers the page and color it, but it’s not a true page background.

How do I change the background color on the Google Docs mobile app?

In the Google Docs app (Android/iOS), open the document, tap the pencil icon to edit, then tap the “A� (format) icon at the top. Go to “Page setup� and tap “Page color� to choose a color. The option is available on both mobile and desktop.

Will the background color show when I print or export to PDF?

Yes, the page background color will appear in the PDF export and in print, provided your printer supports color printing. However, some browsers may ignore background graphics when printing. To force it in Chrome, go to Print > More settings > check “Background graphics�.

Can I use a custom hex color for the page background?

Yes. In the Page setup dialog, click the “+� icon next to the color palette to open a custom color picker. You can enter a hex code (like #F5F5DC) or use the color slider to create a custom shade.

How do I remove the background color and go back to white?

Go to File > Page setup > Page color, and select the white color (or the default). If you set a default, you may need to click “Set as default� again to reset for future documents.

Does changing the background color affect the text formatting?

No, it only changes the page background. Text formatting (font, size, color) remains unchanged. However, if you choose a dark background, you may need to manually change the text color to white or light gray to maintain readability.

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