In Microsoft Word, which option on the toolbar allows a user to change the color of the selected text characters?

Introduction / Context:
Word processors such as Microsoft Word provide many formatting features to improve the appearance of documents. Changing the color of selected text is a very common task when creating headings, highlights, or emphasised words. This question checks whether you know the exact name of the command on the toolbar that is used to change the color of the text characters themselves rather than the background behind them.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The application is Microsoft Word or a similar word processor.
• The user wishes to change the color of selected text characters.
• We assume default English labels for the ribbon commands.

Concept / Approach:
On the Home tab in Microsoft Word, there is a group of font commands including font name, size, bold, italic, underline, and a specific button with a letter and a colored bar underneath it. This button is labelled Font Color. It changes the color of the text characters. Background color for text, such as highlighting, is controlled by a different command, often called Text Highlight Color or Shading. The term Font Color is the standard label for the control that applies color to the font glyphs themselves.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the Word interface and locate the Home tab where text formatting tools are grouped together. Step 2: Recall that there is a small icon showing a letter A with a colored line beneath it, which is labelled Font Color. Step 3: Recognise that clicking Font Color opens a palette allowing you to choose the color applied to text characters. Step 4: Compare this with background or highlight options that color the area behind the text, not the characters themselves. Step 5: From the choices, identify Font Color as the correct and precise command name used by Microsoft Word.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you open Microsoft Word and select some text, then hover over the A icon with a colored underline, the tooltip displays Font Color. Clicking it changes the color of the selected characters. No standard button is labelled Text Color or Change Color on the default ribbon. Background Color is used in table shading or page design, not for the individual text glyphs in the content. This hands on verification supports the choice of Font Color.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Text Color: This is wrong because although it sounds reasonable, the actual label used on the Word ribbon is Font Color, not Text Color.
Change Color: This is wrong because there is no standard button with this generic name. It does not reflect the real interface wording in Word.
Background Color: This is wrong because background color refers to the color behind text, such as shading or page color, not the color of the text characters themselves.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes use informal language in class and say change text color and then assume that Text Color must be the button name. Exams, however, often expect the exact term used in the software. Another pitfall is confusing highlighting with font coloring. Highlighting changes the background behind text, while Font Color changes the drawing color of the letters. Paying attention to the actual labels on the toolbar helps avoid these mistakes.

Final Answer:
In Microsoft Word, the command used to change the color of selected text is Font Color.