Where to find text color options

Text color controls live in different places depending on which program you're using. In most design tools — Canva, Adobe Express, Figma, or Photoshop — you select the text first, then look for a color picker. This is usually a small square or circle showing the current color, often near the top toolbar or in a right-side panel.

In Canva, click your text, then tap the color square that appears in the toolbar above the canvas. In Photoshop, select the text tool, highlight the words you want to change, then click the foreground color square in the toolbox on the left. In Google Docs or Microsoft Word, select the text and use the "Text color" or "Font color" button in the ribbon — it looks like an "A" with a colored line underneath.

Photo editing apps like Snapseed, Pixlr, or Photopea have text layers you can access through a menu. Once you add text, tapping or clicking it reveals formatting options, including a color picker. The exact location varies, but it's always near other text formatting tools like font size and style.

Key Takeaways

  • Select your text first — nothing happens until the text is highlighted or the text layer is active.
  • Look for a color square or swatch in the toolbar or side panel; clicking it opens a color picker.
  • Most tools let you choose from a palette, enter a hex code, or use an eyedropper to sample a color from your image.
  • Text color and background color are separate controls — changing one does not affect the other.
  • Some programs require you to apply the change by pressing Enter, clicking outside the text, or hitting a confirm button.

Using a color picker to select your shade

Once you click the color control, a color picker window opens. Most tools show you a large color square or wheel where you can click to choose any shade. Below or beside that, you'll see a brightness slider — drag it up for lighter versions of the color, down for darker ones.

If you know the exact color you want, you can enter its hex code (a six-character code like #FF5733) directly into a text field. This is useful when you're matching a brand color or following a design system. Many tools also include a recent colors section so you can quickly reuse colors you've already picked.

An eyedropper tool — usually an icon that looks like a dropper or pipette — lets you click anywhere on your canvas or image to sample that exact color. This is the fastest way to make text match other elements in your design without guessing at hex codes.

Changing text color in specific programs

Canva: Click the text box, then click the color square in the toolbar. A palette appears with preset colors and a custom color picker. You can also use the eyedropper to match colors in your design.

Photoshop: Select the text tool, highlight the words, then double-click the foreground color square in the toolbox. A full color picker opens. You can choose from the color field, enter RGB or hex values, or use the eyedropper.

Figma: Select the text layer in the layers panel, then look for the fill color control in the right panel. Click it to open the color picker. Figma also shows you the hex code and lets you save colors to your team library.

Google Docs: Highlight the text, then click the text color button (an "A" with a line) in the toolbar. A small palette drops down. Click "Custom" to access more colors or enter a hex code.

Microsoft Word: Select the text, then click the dropdown arrow next to the font color button in the ribbon. Choose a color from the palette or click "More Colors" for a full picker.

Pixlr or Photopea: Add text using the text tool, then click the text layer to select it. The color picker is usually in the tool options panel on the left or right side of the screen.

Why your text color might not be showing

If you change the color but the text still looks the same, the text layer may not be selected. Make sure you've clicked directly on the text or its layer in the layers panel before opening the color picker. Some programs require you to confirm the change by pressing Enter or clicking elsewhere on the canvas.

Another common issue is contrast. If your text color is too similar to the background, it becomes hard to read even though the color did change. Try picking a darker or lighter shade, or add a background shape behind the text to make it stand out.

If you're working in a program that uses layers, check that you're editing the text layer and not a different layer. In Photoshop, Figma, and similar tools, the wrong layer being selected is a frequent source of confusion.

Changing text color for multiple words at once

To color different words differently in the same text box, you need to select each word or phrase separately and apply a different color to each. In Canva, click inside the text box, highlight the first word, change its color, then highlight the next word and repeat. Photoshop works the same way — select the text tool, highlight a portion of text, and apply color.

Some programs let you create multiple text layers instead, which is often cleaner. In Figma or Photoshop, you can place separate text layers on top of each other, each with its own color. This also makes it easier to adjust individual words later without affecting the rest.

If you're working in a document like Google Docs or Word, the process is identical: select each word or phrase and apply a different color from the text color menu. These programs don't require layers — you're just formatting text within a single paragraph.

Saving and reusing text colors

Most design tools let you save colors you use frequently so you don't have to re-enter the hex code every time. In Figma, you can add a color to your team library by clicking the plus icon next to a color in the picker. In Canva, recently used colors appear at the top of the color palette automatically.

If you're working across multiple files or projects, write down the hex codes of colors you want to keep consistent. A simple text file or spreadsheet with your brand colors and their codes makes it easy to match them anywhere. Many design tools also support color libraries or swatches that you can import and share with team members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make text a gradient instead of a solid color?

Yes, but support varies by tool. Figma, Photoshop, and Adobe Express all allow gradient fills on text. In Canva, you can apply a gradient to a text box background, but not directly to the letters themselves. Check your program's fill or color options — if gradients are supported, the color picker will have a gradient tab or button.

What's the difference between text color and text outline?

Text color fills the letters themselves. A text outline (or stroke) is a colored border around the letters. Most programs have separate controls for each. You can have black text with a white outline, for example. Look for "stroke" or "outline" options near the color picker.

How do I change text color in a PDF?

Standard PDF readers don't let you edit text. You need a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, or a free tool like Photopea. Open the PDF, select the text tool, click the text you want to change, then use the color picker. Some online PDF editors have this feature too, but desktop programs usually offer more control.

Why does my text color look different when I export or print?

Screen colors and printed colors don't always match because screens use RGB (light-based) color and printers use CMYK (ink-based) color. If you're printing, check whether your program offers a CMYK color picker or a print preview. For screen-only work, RGB is fine. Saving as PNG or JPG usually preserves colors accurately.

Can I change text color in a video editing program?

Yes. In DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, or Final Cut Pro, add a text layer, select it, then look for text properties or effects in the inspector panel. You'll find a color picker there. The process is similar to photo editing tools, though video programs sometimes organize controls differently.