In Microsoft Word character formatting, which option is specifically used to apply different colors to the characters in selected text?

Introduction / Context:
Character formatting in word processors such as Microsoft Word allows users to change the appearance of individual letters and words. Common formatting properties include font family, size, style and color. Knowing which option controls the color of characters is fundamental for creating attractive and readable documents.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The application is Microsoft Word.
• The question specifically mentions character formatting, not paragraph formatting.
• We need the option that applies colors to characters.
• Options include font style, font color, effects, size and text highlight color.

Concept / Approach:
In Word, the Font group on the Home tab contains a button labelled Font Color. This button directly controls the color in which characters are drawn. Font style is usually used to describe variations such as bold, italic and underline. Effects might include options like strikethrough, shadow and outline. Size controls how large the characters appear. Text highlight color fills the background behind text rather than changing the color of the characters themselves.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the requirement to apply colors to the characters themselves, not to the background or surrounding area. Step 2: Recognise that the Font Color command in Word applies the selected color to the text, changing the way the characters are drawn. Step 3: Font style usually refers to bold, italic or underline, which change the weight or posture of the text but not its color. Step 4: Effects encompasses special treatments like strikethrough and shadow, again not primarily about color. Step 5: Size changes how big or small the characters appear, but does not specify any color. Step 6: Text highlight color places a colored rectangle behind text to simulate a highlighter pen but leaves the character color unchanged if font color is not adjusted. Step 7: Therefore, the correct choice for changing the color of characters in character formatting is Font color.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you select some text in Word and open the Font dialog box or look at the Font group on the ribbon, you will see a labeled control for Font Color. Clicking this control reveals a palette of colors that directly affect the text itself. Changing other settings like Bold or Italic does not alter the color. This behaviour confirms that the function described in the question is provided by Font color.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Font style is primarily about whether text is regular, bold or italic and does not automatically change color. Effects adds decorative styling but is not solely responsible for color. Size deals only with the height of characters. Text highlight color changes background shading behind text, which is different from altering the character color itself. Thus, only Font color exactly matches the wording of the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Some users confuse font color and highlight color since both involve choosing colors from a palette. To avoid this confusion, remember that font color changes the ink of the letters, while highlight color acts like a marker pen behind the letters. Visualising ink versus highlighter can help you quickly identify the correct option in both practical tasks and exam questions.

Final Answer:
Under character formatting, the option used to apply colors to characters is Font color.