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Marcelo Pena
Marcelo Pena

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Shading in Google Docs: Complete Guide

Google Docs offers several shading options to customize your documents, improve readability, and highlight important information. This article explores the eight main types of shading available, including where to find them in the menu and the corresponding keyboard shortcuts.

1. Page Background Color

This option changes the background color of the entire page, useful for differentiating documents or enhancing visual presentations.

Where to find:

  • Menu: File > Page Setup > Page Color
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before and after Background Color comparison picture

2. Text Background Color

This option allows you to apply shading directly behind the selected text, helping to highlight important information.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Toolbar > "Highlight Color" icon (marker symbol)
  • Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + H

Example:

Before an after Text Background Color comparison picture

3. Paragraph Shading Background Color

Unlike text shading, this option adds a colored background to the entire paragraph.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Format > Paragraph Styles and Spacing > Background Color
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before an after Paragraph Shading Background Color comparison picture

4. Table Background Color

This option applies shading to an entire table, helping to visually organize information.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Format > Table > Table Properties > Table Background Color
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before an after Table Background Color comparison picture

5. Specific Cell Shading in Tables

This feature allows you to highlight individual cells within a table with different colors.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Table > Cell Properties > Background Color
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before an after Specific Cell Shading in Tables comparison picture

6. Border Shading (in paragraphs, tables, or cells)

This feature lets you color the borders of elements like paragraphs and tables for a more structured visual effect.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Format > Borders and Shading
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before an after Border Shading comparison picture

7. Image or Shape Shading

This option adds shadow effects to highlight images or shapes inserted in the document.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Insert > Drawing > Select Image/Shape > Shadow Options
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before an after Image or Shape Shading comparison picture

8. Text Box Shading

When you insert a text box in Google Docs, you can apply shading to the background of the text.

Where to find:

  • Menu: Insert > Drawing > Text Box > Background Color
  • Shortcut: There is no specific shortcut

Example:

Before an after Text Box Shading comparison picture


These shading options in Google Docs allow you to customize your documents and enhance the visual presentation of your information. Experiment with the different possibilities to make your texts more organized and attractive!

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