How to make a straight highlight using draw tab in Word (Microsoft 365)

Question

I was trying to use the draw tab to highlight some text in a document, because I'm not limited to the 15 colors using the general highlight feature of Word found in the Font options. Using the draw tab works fine, except I cannot figure out how to make a perfectly straight highlight (typically, you would hold the shift key down to make a straight line, but that doesn't work with the highlight pen).

None of my searches found the correct solution. Has anyone here found a keystroke, or a workaround for this?

Answer 1

You can get the same options with text shading. With text selected, in the Paragraph group on the Home tab, click on the arrow beside the Borders button. Select Borders and Shading. Select the Shading tab. You'll find the full panoply of RGB colors, plus transparency shading and various patterns. If desired, you can create a character style that incorporates the desired shading color/pattern.

Answer 2

Try Greg Maxey's "highlighter" add-in, which uses text background shading instead of the built-in highlight tool. The background shade will always be straight, and you can use almost any color.

https://gregmaxey.com/word_tip_pages/highlighter.html

Answer 3

After reading your reply, I realized I didn't specify what app I was having issues with. Your solution doesn't appear to work for MS Word, as the Draw tab in Word doesn't have an "insert shape" option.

That said, your reply and the links you provided prompted me to try a work-around using the "ink to shape" tool.

1. I drew a rectangle around my text, and it was converted to a perfect square-edged shape.
2. Then I sized it to fit my text.
3. Next, I right-clicked to get to the "format shape" option, and filled it with the color and transparency I desired.
4. Finally, I removed the border.

It's a little clunky, but it gives you an almost limitless amount of highlight color and transparency options.

Answer 4

Hi OkieInCO,

I’m Jung one of the Independent Advisor and I’d be happy to help you out with your question.

You may try the steps below:

1. In the "Draw" tab - go to the "Insert Shape" section.
2. Click on "Color and Thickness", select "Highlighter" and then an appropriate thickness.
3. Select the Straight Line tool from the "Insert Shapes" section.

Reference: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/why-isnt-their-a-simple-highlight-straight-tool/125211bc-88ca-46e2-bb34-58bc3a27f9e9

Now you can draw straightlines, that are highlighter lines.

Kindly check this links for more details:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/draw-straight-lines-or-align-things-with-the-ruler-in-powerpoint-6222c9b4-2fdf-48f7-a3fd-1687fbe2bf84

[https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/word/using-the-draw-tab/1/](https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/word/using-the-draw-tab/1/)

https://tanducits.com/tips-and-tricks/draw-and-write-with-ink-in-office

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I’ll be glad to assist you further.

Best regards,
Jung

--If the reply was helpful, please don’t forget to upvote or accept as answer--

Answer 5

Hi OkienInCo,

I am glad to provide additional help that will make it easier for you to achieve this highlighting text using Word.

To highlight text, click on Ink Editor then choose one of the highlight options in the gallery. Now ‘draw’ over a line or phrase, the drawing doesn’t have to be precise. Ink Editor will translate your drawn line into standard highlighted text.
ink-editor-highlight-word
Do a broad ‘scribble’ across a block of text and the entire area/paragraph will be highlighted.

I hope this information helps you. If you have any questions, please do let me know and I'll be more than happy to assist you further with this.

Best Regards,

Michelle