You can change the background color in Google Docs at the page level and for selected text, which affects on-screen display and print output depending on the method used. For the page background, use the Page color option to set a color behind the document content, while text highlighting and cell shading apply color within the content area. These settings work differently on the web versus mobile apps and have implications for printing, exporting, and accessibility contrast. The following sections detail step-by-step procedures, platform differences, and best practices to ensure your color choices remain clear and usable across viewers and devices.
Page color versus text highlighting
Distinguish between page color, which acts as a background behind all content, and text highlighting or cell shading, which only color specific text or table areas. Page color changes the visible canvas for your entire document and is supported on both web and mobile platforms, though the available color set and application steps differ. Highlighting or shading affects only selected text or table cells and can be useful for emphasis without altering the full-page appearance. Understanding this distinction helps you choose the right option for readability, document branding, and export requirements.
How to change page color on Google Docs web
Open the Page color picker
In Google Docs on the web, click Insert and choose Page color to open the color panel. The panel shows default themes, palettes, and an option to reset to no color. Using Insert ensures the command is available regardless of the toolbar layout, while the Page color entry in the top section of the Insert menu provides a direct path to background selection without scrolling through other insert options.
Select a color and apply or reset
Choose a color from the grid or use the color picker to define a custom shade, then click Select to apply it to the current page. To remove the page color, click Reset at the bottom of the panel. On pages that already contain content, the background color extends to the paper edges in the display, though printing and download behavior depends on your printer settings, export format, and whether the destination viewer supports background colors in the rendered output.
How to change page color on Google Docs mobile
Insert menu and Page color on Android and iOS
On mobile, open the Insert menu and tap Page color to reveal preset colors and an option to reset. The interface may show fewer color choices compared with the web, and the placement inside Insert keeps the workflow consistent across devices. After you select a color, it applies to the current page and is visible in the editor immediately, supporting quick adjustments during drafting or review sessions.
Applying color to specific text and table cells
Highlight text for emphasis
Select the text you want to emphasize and click the Highlight color icon in the toolbar or choose a highlight color from the text formatting menu. Highlighting is useful for marking drafts, reviewing comments, or drawing attention without changing the page background. It differs from page color because it overlays text rather than coloring the page behind all content, and it is retained when you copy, download, or print the document.
Shade table cells for structure
In tables, select one or more cells, click the Table background color icon in the toolbar, and choose a shade to improve readability or group related rows. Cell shading is distinct from page color and allows you to use color to organize information, support visual hierarchy, and guide readers through complex data sets. This approach works across viewers and is preserved in most exports, making it a dependable method for adding structure without altering the overall page background.
Print, export, and accessibility considerations
How backgrounds appear in print and download
By default, Google Docs often omits background colors and images when printing or downloading as PDF to save ink and reduce visual clutter. You can include backgrounds in printed output by selecting Settings or More print options and toggling Print backgrounds on for print or download use cases. Keep in mind that printing colored backgrounds consumes more ink and can reduce readability on light paper, so use this option judiciously for essential branding or accessibility needs.
Contrast, readability, and accessibility
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors to meet accessibility standards and support diverse readers. Avoid pairing light text with light backgrounds or dark text with dark backgrounds, and prefer higher contrast combinations for body text. If you use page color for branding or visual design, test the document in different lighting conditions and review it with assistive technologies to confirm that content remains perceivable and usable for all audiences.
Summary of methods and platform comparisons
| Action | Web | Mobile (Android/iOS) | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change full-page background | Insert > Page color > Select or Reset | Insert > Page color > Select or Reset | Current page |
| Highlight text | Select text > Highlight color icon | Select text > Highlight color in text menu | Selected text only |
| Shade table cells | Select cells > Table background color icon | Select cells > Table background color in cell menu | Selected cells |
| Include backgrounds in print | More print options > Toggle Print backgrounds | Not applicable (mobile print via system share) | Print or PDF export |
When to use each method
Use page color to change the overall canvas of a document for visual separation or light theming, use highlighting to mark up text during review, and use cell shading to organize tables and improve scanability. Reserve full-page color for documents where it supports structure or accessibility rather than decoration, and consider the downstream impacts on export, archiving, and sharing. By matching the method to the goal, you maintain clarity while still using color productively within Google Docs.