How To Highlight In Google Docs Shortcut

In today’s digital age, Google Docs has become a go-to tool for many professionals, students, and individuals looking to collaborate or create documents. With its plethora of features and user-friendly interface, it has become an essential part of our daily lives. One of its handy features is the ability to highlight text. Highlighting important information or key points in a document can make it easier to read and reference. In this article, we will explore various ways to highlight in Google Docs using shortcuts.

Why Use Shortcuts?

Shortcuts are a time-saving technique that can greatly increase productivity. Instead of manually navigating through menus or searching for options, shortcuts provide a quick and efficient way to perform various tasks. When working with Google Docs, knowing the shortcuts for highlighting can save you valuable time and improve your overall workflow.

The Different Highlighting Options

Before we delve into the shortcuts themselves, let’s first familiarize ourselves with the different highlighting options available in Google Docs. Google Docs offers three methods to highlight text:

1. The Text Highlight Color Tool

The most common way to highlight text in Google Docs is by using the Text Highlight Color tool. To access this tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the text you want to highlight.

2. Click on the “Text Highlight Color” button in the toolbar.

3. Choose the desired highlight color from the drop-down menu.

Once you have selected the highlight color, the text will be highlighted accordingly.

2. Add Comments and Highlight

Another method to highlight text in Google Docs is by adding comments. This is particularly useful when collaborating with others on a document. To highlight text using comments, follow these steps:

1. Select the text you want to highlight.

2. Right-click on the selected text and choose “Comment” from the context menu.

3. A comment box will appear on the right side of the document. Enter your comment in the box.

4. To highlight the text, click on the “Highlight” button within the comment box.

By using this method, you can not only highlight the text but also provide additional context or feedback through comments.

3. Change Text Background Color

In addition to the highlight color tool, Google Docs also allows you to change the background color of the text. This can be useful when you want to emphasize specific sections or make the text stand out. To change the text background color, follow these steps:

1. Select the text you want to highlight.

2. Click on the “Text Background Color” button in the toolbar.

3. Choose the desired background color from the drop-down menu.

Once you have applied the background color, the text will be highlighted with a colored background.

The Shortcut to Highlight in Google Docs

Now that we have covered the different highlighting options, let’s focus on the shortcut method to highlight in Google Docs. Knowing and utilizing this shortcut can significantly speed up your workflow. The shortcut to highlight text in Google Docs is:

Ctrl + Alt + H (Windows) or Command + Control + H (Mac)

By simply holding down the respective keys and pressing “H,” you can instantly highlight any selected text with the default highlight color. This shortcut eliminates the need to navigate through menus and allows for a seamless highlighting experience.

Customizing the Highlight Color Shortcut

While the default highlight color can be useful in most cases, you may prefer a different color based on your preferences or document requirements. Fortunately, Google Docs allows you to customize the highlight color shortcut. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Click on “Tools” in the menu bar.

2. Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.

3. In the “Preferences” window, go to the “General” tab.

4. Scroll down to find the “Keyboard shortcuts” section.

5. Click on the “Table highlighting” drop-down menu.

6. Choose your desired highlight color from the available options.

7. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Once you have customized the highlight color, you can use the shortcut mentioned earlier to apply the new color to your selected text.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I undo a highlight in Google Docs?

Yes, you can undo a highlight in Google Docs. To remove a highlight, simply select the highlighted text and click on the “Text Highlight Color” button in the toolbar. Choose the option “None” from the drop-down menu to remove the highlight.

2. Can I copy and paste highlighted text in Google Docs?

Yes, you can copy and paste highlighted text in Google Docs just like any other text. The highlighting will be preserved when pasted into another location within the same document or even into another Google Docs document.

3. Is there a shortcut to change the highlight color directly?

No, there is no direct shortcut to change the highlight color. However, by customizing the highlight color shortcut as mentioned earlier, you can quickly apply your preferred color to the selected text.

4. Are the highlighting shortcuts different for mobile devices?

Yes, the highlighting shortcuts mentioned in this article are specifically for desktop or laptop computers. The shortcut keys for mobile devices may differ depending on the operating system and the version of Google Docs.

In Conclusion

Highlighting text in Google Docs is a useful feature that can enhance readability and improve collaboration. Whether you prefer using the Text Highlight Color tool, comments, or changing the text background color, being familiar with the different methods can help you work more efficiently. However, the ultimate time-saving method is utilizing the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + H (Windows) or Command + Control + H (Mac) to instantly highlight selected text. Remember to customize the highlight color shortcut to match your preferences and document requirements.

Incorporating these highlighting techniques and shortcuts into your Google Docs workflow will undoubtedly elevate your productivity and streamline your document creation process.