How to Remove Text Shadow or Shading in Word 2010
Question details
The user needs to remove unwanted background shading or shadow effects from text pasted from a website into a Word document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2010
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Pasting text copied from an internet browser into a Word 2010 document.
- Observed behavior
- The pasted text retains unwanted website character formatting, such as dark background shading or text shadows, disrupting the document's visual appearance.
Highlight the specific affected text before attempting to clear the formatting, and ensure your document is saved to prevent accidental loss of other intended styles.
Clear Direct Formatting using Keyboard Shortcut
Use a quick keyboard shortcut to instantly strip away unwanted character formatting like shading and shadows.
This is the fastest method to remove inline background colors, text shadows, and custom web fonts that are stubbornly attached to your copied text.
Use your mouse or keyboard to highlight the exact portion of text that has the unwanted shadow or shading.
Press Ctrl + Spacebar on your keyboard simultaneously. This command instantly clears all direct character formatting and restores the text to the document's default style.
Paste as Plain Text to Prevent Shading
Prevent the shading from appearing in the first place by pasting the text without its original source formatting.
Remove Unwanted Formatting Easily with WPS Writer
WPS Writer provides intuitive tools to instantly strip away messy website formatting, keep text only, and perfectly align pasted content with your document's style. It is a powerful, free alternative for your daily document processing needs.
- 1. Copy Your Text: Highlight and copy the target text from your web browser or source document.
- 2. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office, open WPS Writer, and navigate to your working document.
- 3. Paste Unformatted Text: Right-click the page area and select 'Keep Text Only', or press Ctrl+Alt+V and choose Unformatted Text to prevent shading.
- 4. Clear Existing Formatting: If the text is already pasted, select it and click the 'Clear Formatting' eraser icon found in the Home tab ribbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does text pasted from websites always have a gray background?
Websites use HTML and CSS code to style text. When you copy it, word processors attempt to preserve these underlying styles, which often translates into gray or colored background shading in your document.
Does pressing Ctrl+Spacebar remove paragraph formatting like center alignment?
No, Ctrl+Spacebar only removes character-level formatting (like font size, bold, italics, text shadows, and shading). To remove paragraph-level formatting like alignment or line spacing, you need to select the text and press Ctrl+Q.
Can I set Word to always paste without formatting by default?
Yes. In Word 2010, go to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the 'Cut, copy, and paste' section, and change the dropdown for 'Pasting from other programs' to 'Keep Text Only'. Click OK to save.
What is the difference between text shading and text highlight?
Text highlight is applied using the Highlighter tool and usually has bright colors like yellow or neon green. Shading is a background color property often carried over from web tables or CSS. Ctrl+Spacebar removes shading, but to remove a highlight, you must select the text, click the Highlight tool dropdown, and choose 'No Color'.
