How to Layer Shadow to Text

Microsoft Word can add shading or a shadow effect to text.

Microsoft Word 2010 can format text with shading or shadow effects. Adding a color or shadow effect to selected words gives a page visual interest. These effects can highlight an event name, a theme or other keyword. You can add a rectangle of shading behind selected text for a colorful background. You can also opt to add a shadow to the fonts by accessing the "WordArt" effects.

Instructions

Add Shading Behind the Text

1. Open the Word document.

2. Click the "Home" tab on the command ribbon.

3. Click and drag the cursor on the text you wish to shade.

4. Click the arrow next to the "Shading" button in the "Paragraph" group. The "Shading" button displays a tipping paint can. A gallery of color samples appears.

5. Point the cursor over the color samples to preview the effect on the selected text.

6. Click the preferred color sample. The background of the text changes in color. The selected color displays in the "Shading" button.

Add a Shadow to WordArt Text

1. Open the Word document.

2. Click the "Insert" tab on the command ribbon.

3. Click the "WordArt" button in the "Text" group. A gallery of text samples appears.

4. Click the preferred text sample. A text box appears on the page.

5. Type the text in the text box. The ""Drawing Tools" ribbon appears with the "Format" tab.

6. Click the "Format" tab in the "Drawing Tools" ribbon.

7. Click the "Text Effects" arrow in the "WordArt Styles" group. A list of effects appears.

8. Point the cursor over the "Shadow" option. The "Shadow" samples appears to the right.

9. Click the preferred "Shadow" effect. The text displays the "Shadow" effect.

Tips & Warnings

• To apply a "Shading" color not shown in the gallery, click the "More Colors" option in the "Shading" menu on the "Home" tab. The "Colors" dialog box opens. Click the color from color model on the "Custom" or "Standard" tab sheets. Click "OK." The background of the text changes color.

• To remove the shading, click and drag on the selected text. Click the "Clear Formatting" button in the "Font' Group. The background of the font returns to the default style.

• To customize the "Shadow" effect for the WordArt text, click the text in the text box. Click the "Format" tab in the "Drawing Tools" ribbon. Click the lower-right arrow in the "WordArt Styles" group. The "Format Text Effects" dialog window opens. Click "Shadow" in the left pane. Set the values for the "Shadow" options, such as "Transparency", "Blur" or "Angle." Click "Close." The WordArt text displays the shadow effect.

References

• Word 2010, Add or Delete a Fill, Outline or Effect for Text of WordArt

Resources

• Microsoft Office: WordArt Tools