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Fix Cannot Change Text Color or Highlight in Word for iPad
Question details
Users are unable to change text color or apply highlights in Microsoft Word for iPad, despite the color tools appearing functional.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Editing and formatting document text on an iPad.
- Observed behavior
- Selecting a text color or highlight from the toolbar does not apply the formatting to the selected text, usually due to system-level accessibility settings overriding app formatting.
Save your current document progress and make sure you know your Microsoft account login credentials in case you need to reinstall the application.
Disable 'Increase Contrast' in iPad Settings
Turning off the iPad's built-in high-contrast accessibility feature typically resolves the display conflict that prevents text color modifications in Word.
The iPadOS accessibility feature 'Increase Contrast' forces text and UI elements to display in high contrast (often strictly black or white) to improve readability. This system-level override can prevent custom font colors chosen in Microsoft Word from rendering correctly.
Return to your iPad's Home screen and tap the 'Settings' app icon.
Scroll down the left-side menu and select 'Accessibility'.
Under the 'Vision' section, tap on 'Display & Text Size'.
Locate the 'Increase Contrast' switch and toggle it to the 'Off' position (gray).
Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the app switcher, swipe away Microsoft Word to close it entirely, then reopen the app and test your text formatting.
Update or Reinstall Microsoft Word
If adjusting the contrast settings does not fix the issue, the application may be experiencing a localized glitch or requires a patch.
Edit Documents Flawlessly with WPS Office for iPad
Avoid frustrating formatting glitches with WPS Office. As a powerful, free, and lightweight alternative, WPS Office provides full compatibility with Microsoft Word formats and a user-friendly interface for seamless document editing on your iPad.
- 1. Download from the App Store: Search for WPS Office in the iPad App Store and download the application for free.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and easily import or directly open your existing .docx files.
- 3. Format Without Issues: Select your text and use the intuitive toolbar to apply highlights, change text colors, and edit smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Increase Contrast' setting affect Microsoft Word?
The 'Increase Contrast' accessibility feature on iPadOS forces certain UI elements and text to display in high-contrast modes to improve readability for visually impaired users. This system command can override custom font colors and highlights set within third-party apps like Microsoft Word.
Will disabling 'Increase Contrast' negatively affect other iPad apps?
Disabling this setting applies system-wide, meaning other apps will simply revert to their default, standard contrast levels. If you rely on high contrast for readability, you can easily toggle it back on in the Accessibility menu after you finish formatting your document.
What if text color still won't change after modifying the contrast settings?
If the issue persists, check if the specific document is restricted from editing or requires a premium Office 365 subscription to modify. You can also test the file in a free alternative like WPS Office to determine if the document formatting itself is corrupted.
