Text effects in Word 2010 have wide range of options like applying shadow, reflection or glow to transform the appearance of text and give it an altogether new look.

Text effects in Word 2010 have wide range of options like applying shadow, reflection or glow to transform the appearance of text and give it an altogether new look.

To checkout available text effects type some text in a document. Select the required content to apply the text effect and on Home | Font menu click on “Text Effects” icon (refer below screenshot).

You will find variety of text effects categorized under Outline, Shadow, Reflection and Glow. A set of preset text effects are available which combines different combinations of glow, outline color, shadow and reflections. You can hover over each preset effect to see its preview on the selected text.

Outline

If you want to modify the outline of text like make it dotted or more solid, change outline color then in the Text Effects menu hover over “Outline” menu to reveal available outline options.

Here select desired colors for the outline and choose the outline style. You can either make it solid or dotted. Again under each option you can vary the weight of the line and space between the dots. You can even go for the “No Outline” option to keep the text simple. Apart from the preset dotted and solid lines you can even customize to add additional line options. For this click on “More Lines” link located at the end of preset line options.

In the “Format Text Effects” window that pops open under “Outline Style” tab you can specify line width, dash type, etc. After making the changes click on Close button.

Shadow

Different kinds of shadow can be added to the text. To choose from the available preset options select the required text to apply the shadow and click on Home | Font | Text Effects | Shadow. Here hover over any of the thumbnail images of preset shadow options to see the preview. Then click on desired option. Shadows are applied in three ways i.e. outer, inner and perspective.

To customize preset shadow options or create new shadow click on Home | Font | Text Effects | Shadow | Shadow Options.

In the “Format Text Effects” window that pops open under the shadow tab you can give any color to the shadow and make changes to the size, transparency, blur, angle and distance of the shadow by moving the respective slider or entering a number. Once you add a shadow or make any changes to the preset shadow option you cannot revert back. The only option is to remove the shadow entirely. This holds good for other effects like Outline, Reflection and Glow as well.

Reflection

Different types of reflections can be added to text. To choose from available preset options click on Home | Font | Text Effects | Reflections. Here there is a set of preset thumbnail options to choose from. Hovering over each option will show a preview and you can click on required option. There are variations in reflections like half reflection, full reflection and tight reflection.

To customize reflection options click on “Reflection Options” link.

In the “Format Text Effects” window that pops open you can modify the Transparency, Size, Distance and Blur of reflection by moving the respective slider.

Glow

Glow effect using different colors can be given to the text. Click on Home | Font | Text Effects | Glow, to reveal a set of preset glow variations. Hover over each thumbnail option to see a preview of the variation and then click on the required option. Apart from the given colors for glow you can choose additional colors by clicking on “More Glow Colors”. To customize Glow options click on “Glow Options” link.

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In the “Format Text Effects” window that pops open under “Glow and Soft Edges” tab you can modify the Color, Size, and Transparency and soften the edges.

Text Fill

The “Text Effect” window can also be accessed by clicking on the small down arrow located in the Home | Font menu.

In the “Font” window that pops open click on “Text Effects” link located at the bottom of the window.

In the “Format Text Effects” window that pops open under “Text Fill” tab you can select any colors to fill the text.

You have few preset color combinations as well to choose from. You can choose from Solid fill and Gradient fill. In case of Gradient fill you can vary the direction, angle and type of gradient. Even the Brightness and Transparency of the fill can be varied. However preview is not available for any of the text fill options if the “Format Text Effects” window is opened by clicking on the small down arrow. Interestingly you can see the preview of text fill options if the “Format Text Effects” window is opened by clicking on Home | Font | Text Effects and choose any one of the four Text Effects from Outline, Shadow, Reflection and Glow. As explained above when you click on any one of the more options given under each text effects the “Format Text Effects” window will pop open. Here click on the “Text Fill” tab. You can see a preview of whatever option you choose to fill the text. This holds good for Text Outline and 3-D format effect as well. After making changes click on Close button for the changes to take effect.

Text Outline

Likewise you can change the outline of texts under “Text Outline” tab in “Format Text Effects” window. Here again you can choose from solid or gradient outline and then choose required colors for the outline or select from the given preset colors. You can see preview of the changes made to the text outline.

3-D Format

There is another interesting effect to add to the text i.e. 3D effect. In the “Format Text Effects” window click on “3-D Format” tab.

Here you can add Bevel and alter its width and height, change the color and size of depth and contour of the bevel and choose from a range of surface for the bevel. Each combination will give different kinds of 3-D effect to the text thus making the text very attractive.

You can be very creative and experiment with host of permutations and combinations using all the text effects. In general you’re better off using only a few subtle effects.

For a single line of text you can choose different effects for each word in the sentence or even choose different effects for each letter in the word.

Though why you’d want to create such horribly messed up text is another matter beyond the control of MS Office .

See Also

• Text Effects in Word 2010 and Word 2013
• Simple image overlays in Word
• Thunderbirds are go … in Office
• Text Effects in Word 2003 and Word 2007