Spruce up symbols using multi-color effects

(97/2000/2001/2002) Word's Symbol feature offers a rich collection of simple, light-weight graphics that you can use to jazz up your documents. You're probably used to seeing these symbols in black and white, since that's the way they're displayed in the Symbol dialog box.

However, you can easily change their color just as you'd change thecolor of document text. If you'd like to create an even more eye-popping effect, you can apply a multi-color effect to your symbols that makes the symbol's negative space stand out as well. To do so, insert a symbol in your document by selecting Insert | Symbol from the menu bar to open the Symbol dialog box. On the Symbols tab, select the symbol you'd like to insert, and then click Insert. Next, click Close to dismiss the Symbol dialog box. To change the color of your new symbol, select it, click the dropdown arrow next to the Font Color button on the Formatting toolbar, and then choose the desired color. To apply a second color to the symbol's negative space, make sure the symbol is still selected, click the dropdown arrow next to the Highlight button on the Formatting toolbar, and then choose the color you'd like to apply. Or, you can choose from a broader range of colors, as well as patterns, by applying shading rather than highlighting. To do so, select the symbol and then choose Format | Borders And Shading from the menu bar. Click on the Shading tab in the Borders And Shading dialog box, and then choose Text from the Apply To dropdown list. Next, use the features in the Fill and Patterns panels to apply the shading and pattern colors of your choice.

Created Date: 05/03/2002  Last Reviewed: 05/03/2001  Rev. Date: