word 2007

September 28, 2011 9:33 AM

Word 2007: I want to create an outline where each level is a different color. Is there any way to do this as I'm typing? (instead of manually later) I've tried styles, but I can't figure out how to apply the color to the text (content) as well as just the outline heading.
posted by amsterdam63 to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

There's probably a more elegant way, but you should be able to do this by creating unique text styles and associating them with the outline heading styles, like so:

1. Create a new text style, name it Heading 1 Text and set the text color to whatever your Heading 1 is
2. Go back to your Heading 1 style and change Style for following paragraph to Heading 1 Text
3. Repeat for each heading level

Now, when you finish typing your headings and press enter, Word will automatically start the next paragraph in the associated text style.
posted by stefanie at 10:11 AM on September 28, 2011

... maybe this is not in 2007, as I only have 2003 at home and 2010 at work, but if you designate a different body text style for each level, and mark in its definition that it is what follows the style for that header, I think it will do what you want?
posted by dust.wind.dude at 10:11 AM on September 28, 2011

bah, too slow.
posted by dust.wind.dude at 10:11 AM on September 28, 2011

I think the more elegant way is "Link level to style" (in Word 2010 anyway, and I think 2007 as well). In 2010, I can go to Home -> [Multilevel list button] -> Define new multilevel list -> More>> -> Link level to style. Then I can just select an arbitrary style for each heading, and it will automatically be used, even in already existing lists. See here.
posted by Honorable John at 1:19 PM on September 28, 2011