Easy Tech TutsHow to Highlight in Google Docs Shortcut Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Manually clicking through the highlight color picker for every sentence slows down document review. This guide covers the keyboard shortcut that instantly applies your last-used highlight color, how to swap between colors from the toolbar, and how to clear highlights when you're finished marking up a document. It's a quick habit that speeds up editing and study sessions alike.
01Select your target text
Highlight the text string, sentence, or paragraph you want to mark using standard keyboard or mouse selection.
02Use the keyboard shortcut
Press Ctrl+Alt+H on Windows/ChromeOS or Command+Option+H on macOS to instantly apply your last-used highlight color.
03Adjust your highlight color
Open the Highlight color pen tool on the toolbar to swap between preset colors or set a custom hex tone.
04Remove a highlight
Select the highlighted text and set the background color to None to clear the marker without altering the underlying text.
05Use color-coding for organization
Assign different highlight colors to different categories, such as edits, questions, or key data, to keep large reviews organized.
Frequently asked questions
Does the highlight shortcut work the same on Chromebooks?
Yes, Ctrl+Alt+H works on ChromeOS the same way it does on Windows, applying your most recently used highlight color.
Can I remove a highlight with a keyboard shortcut too?
There isn't a dedicated shortcut for removal; you'll need to select the text and manually set the background to None.
Will highlights show up if I export my document as a PDF?
Yes, highlight colors are preserved when exporting to PDF or other common formats.
Can I highlight text on the Google Docs mobile app?
Yes, though the keyboard shortcut won't apply on mobile; you'll use the highlight tool in the formatting menu instead.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
