Formatting Issues

How to Fix Cannot Change Text Color or Remove Underline in Word

Natalie Taylor Oct 10, 2026 880 views

Question details

The user is unable to modify the font color or remove the underlining from specific text segments within their document.

How to Fix Cannot Change Text Color or Remove Underline in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to apply basic font formatting to text, such as changing its color to black or removing a red underline.
Observed behavior: The text remains red and underlined despite standard formatting attempts, typically because the formatting is locked as an unaccepted insertion under the Track Changes feature.

Before you start

Before attempting to reapply your font styles, verify whether the 'Track Changes' feature is currently active in your document, as this is the most common reason text appears locked with red underlining.

Solution 1Recommended

Accept Tracked Changes and Stop Tracking

Use this solution to resolve outstanding document revisions, which will remove the forced red underlines and allow you to edit text formatting normally.

When Track Changes is enabled, any new text you type is marked as an insertion. By default, Word highlights insertions with a red font and an underline. Because this is a revision mark and not a standard font style, you cannot remove it using the standard Home tab formatting tools.

To regain normal editing control, you must review the changes, accept them to integrate the text permanently, and then turn off the tracking feature.

Navigate to the Review tab

Open your document and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon.

Accept the changes

In the Changes group, click the drop-down arrow under 'Accept' and select 'Accept All Changes'. If you only want to accept specific parts, select the text first and click 'Accept'.

Turn off Track Changes

Click the 'Track Changes' button so that it is no longer highlighted. Alternatively, you can select 'Stop Tracking' from the Accept drop-down menu.

Apply standard formatting

Select the text again, go to the 'Home' tab, and you can now successfully change the font color to black and remove any underlining.

Document Revisions Resolved: Once the changes are accepted, the revision marks vanish. The text will convert to the surrounding paragraph's default style, freeing you to format it as needed.

Efficient Word Processing

Manage Tracked Changes Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a highly compatible and intuitive Review tab, allowing you to easily accept or reject tracked changes, modify text formatting, and collaborate seamlessly with Microsoft Word users.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the locked red and underlined text.
2. Go to the Review tab: Click on the 'Review' tab located at the top of the application window.
3. Accept document revisions: Click the 'Accept' button and choose 'Accept All Changes in Document' from the drop-down menu.
4. Disable Track Changes: Click the 'Track Changes' icon to toggle the feature off, then highlight your text to freely adjust its color and underline settings.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word .docx files and Track Changes historyIntuitive Review tab for streamlined document collaboration and markup managementFree, lightweight, and fast alternative to heavy office suitesEffortlessly modify text colors, underlines, and advanced formatting

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my text turn red and underlined automatically?

This happens when the Track Changes feature is turned on. Any new text you type is marked as an insertion, which the software visually indicates with a red font color and an underline to distinguish it from the original text.

Can I hide the red underlines without accepting the changes?

Yes. You can temporarily hide the revision marks by going to the Review tab and changing the display mode from 'All Markup' to 'No Markup'. This lets you view the document as if all changes were accepted without permanently applying them.

How do I change the default color for tracked changes?

Navigate to the Review tab, click the dialog box launcher arrow in the Tracking group (or the Track Changes drop-down), select 'Advanced Track Changes Options', and adjust the specific colors assigned to insertions and deletions.

Document & File Issues