In Microsoft Word character formatting, which option is used to apply different colors to the characters in a document?

Introduction / Context:
Word processors such as Microsoft Word provide many character formatting features that change how text looks on the screen and on printed pages. Users can change the font type, size, color, and apply special effects like bold, italic, or underlining. This question focuses on identifying which specific option in character formatting is used to apply colors to characters in a Word document.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The environment is Microsoft Word, a popular word processing application.
• The question specifically refers to character formatting options.
• The goal is to apply colors to characters.
• Options include Font style, Font color, Effects, Size, and a general distractor.
• We assume the learner has at least basic experience with changing text appearance in Word.

Concept / Approach:
Character formatting in Microsoft Word typically includes font selection, font size, font color, and text effects like bold, italic, underline, and more. Font style usually refers to options such as bold or italic. Font color is the dedicated option for selecting a color from a palette to apply to the text. Size changes how large or small the characters appear. Effects can include strikethrough, superscript, subscript, and special visual styles. Therefore, to answer the question, we need to match the requirement apply colors with the specific option name that controls color.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the formatting toolbar or ribbon in Microsoft Word, which includes options for font, size, and color.Step 2: Identify that the text color is set using a button often represented by an A with a colored underline or a color palette symbol.Step 3: Observe that when you point to this button in Word, its tooltip usually says Font Color.Step 4: Compare this with other options. Font style changes bold, italic, or underline, while Size changes the character size.Step 5: Conclude that the option specifically named Font color is used to apply colors to characters.

Verification / Alternative Check:
To verify, imagine selecting a word in a Word document and wanting to change it from black to red. You would not change the font style, because that controls bold and italic, and you would not change the Size, because that would only make the letters bigger or smaller. Instead, you would click on the color icon under the Font Color control and pick red from the palette. This direct mental simulation of performing the task confirms that Font color is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Font style usually refers to typeface variations such as bold, italic, or regular, and does not control color. Effects may include strikethrough, outline, shadow, and other visual enhancements, but they are separate from the basic color choice. Size adjusts the height and width of characters but leaves the color unchanged. None of these is incorrect because there is a dedicated Font color option that exactly matches the requirement of applying colors.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse font style with all aspects of appearance, assuming that style includes color, size, and other properties. In practice, Word separates these controls so that you can independently adjust font, size, style, color, and additional effects. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the exact labels used on the Ribbon, which can lead to imprecise answers. Becoming familiar with the names and icons for each command helps users work more efficiently in Word.

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