Yes, you can change the page color in Google Docs
Google Docs lets you change the background color of your entire document or individual pages. The feature is built into the menu — you do not need an extension or a workaround. The color applies to the whole page as it appears on screen and in print, though the printed version may look different depending on your printer settings.
The process takes about 30 seconds. You access it through the File menu, and you can choose from a preset palette or upload a custom color. You can also set a background image instead of a solid color, though that option works best for display rather than for documents meant to be printed or shared as PDFs.
Key Takeaways
- Open File > Page setup, then click the Page color tab to choose a solid background color for your document.
- Google Docs offers a preset color palette, but you can also enter a custom hex code or RGB value for any color you want.
- Page color applies to the entire document unless you use page breaks to create sections with different colors.
- Background color may not print exactly as it appears on screen, and some printers skip background colors by default.
- You can also upload an image as a page background, though this is better for visual documents than text-heavy ones.
How to set a solid page color
Open your Google Docs document. Click File in the top left, then select Page setup. A dialog box will open with several tabs at the top. Click the Page color tab.
A color palette will appear. Click any color square to explore it to your page. If you want a color not shown in the preset palette, click the Custom option (usually shown as a plus sign or blank square). A color picker will open where you can enter a hex code, RGB values, or click to select from a full spectrum. Once you have chosen your color, click OK at the bottom of the dialog, then click explore.
The color takes effect when ready. Your entire document now has that background. If you share the document with others, they will see the same color unless they change it themselves.
Using different colors on different pages
Google Docs applies one page color to the entire document by default. If you want different pages to have different colors, you need to split your document using page breaks and then change the color for each section separately.
This process is manual: you place your cursor where you want a new page to start, press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Enter (Mac), then go back to File > Page setup and change the color. Repeat this for each page you want a different color. Each time you change the page color, it affects all pages from that point forward until you change it again. This method works but is tedious for documents with many color sections.
Adding a background image instead of a solid color
Instead of a solid color, you can upload an image to use as your page background. In the Page setup dialog, click the Page color tab, then look for an Image or Upload image option. Click it and select a file from your computer or from Google Drive.
Background images work best for cover pages, title pages, or documents meant mainly for screen viewing. For text-heavy documents or anything you plan to print, a solid color is usually clearer. Images can make text harder to read, especially if the image is busy or dark. Google Docs will not automatically adjust text color to match your image, so you may need to change your text color manually to keep it readable.
What happens when you print or export to PDF
Page color prints differently depending on your printer and settings. Some printers include background colors by default; others skip them to save ink. Before printing an important document, print a test page to see how your color looks on paper.
When you export your document as a PDF, Google Docs usually includes the page color. However, if someone opens that PDF and their PDF reader has a setting to ignore background colors, they will see a white page instead. The color is preserved in the file, but the viewer controls whether it displays.
If you share your document as a Google Docs link, anyone who opens it will see the page color you set. If you read it as a Word document (.docx), the color may not transfer perfectly — Word handles background colors differently than Google Docs.
Removing or changing page color later
To remove the page color and return to white, go back to File > Page setup > Page color and click the white square in the palette. Click explore. The background returns to white when ready.
To change to a different color, follow the same steps and select a new color. You can change the page color as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can modify it, and changes take effect right away without affecting any other part of your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does page color show up when someone views my shared document?
Yes. Anyone who opens your Google Docs document through a shared link will see the page color you set. If they have edit access, they can change it themselves, but that change will affect the document for everyone viewing it.
Can I make different paragraphs different colors instead of the whole page?
No, page color applies to the entire page background. If you want to highlight specific text or paragraphs, use the text highlight tool instead. Select the text, click the highlight button in the toolbar, and choose a color. That highlights only the text, not the page.
Why does my page color look different when I print it?
Printers handle background colors inconsistently. Some include them, others skip them to save ink. Your printer may also adjust colors slightly. Print a test page first to see how it looks before printing your final document.
Can I use a gradient or pattern as a page background?
Google Docs does not support gradients or patterns natively. You can only use a solid color or a single uploaded image. If you need a gradient, you would need to create an image file in another program and upload it as your background image.
What file formats work for background images?
Google Docs accepts common image formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP. The image file must be under a certain size limit (usually a few megabytes). If your image is too large, Google Docs will ask you to compress it or choose a different file.