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How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Last Updated : 12 Apr, 2025
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Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs - Quick Steps

  • Open Google Docs
  • Select Document >> Insert Table
  • Select Table >> Right click on Table
  • Select "Table Properties"
  • Choose Color

Ever wondered how to make your Google Docs tables more visually appealing? Filling a table with color can make your documents stand out and help emphasize key sections of your data. Whether you’re working on a report, a project, or an assignment, adding color to your tables can increase readability and add a professional touch.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to fill a table with color in Google Docs using various techniques. We’ll also explore how to change the color of the entire table or individual cells, and provide tips for coloring tables on both desktop and mobile devices. Let’s get started and bring your tables to life with a bit of color.

How To Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs

Follow these simple steps to easily add color to your tables in Google Docs.

Step 1: Open your Google Doc and Select Insert

First, you have to open your Google document in which you want to perform the coloring table operation. After opening a document insert a table using the "Insert" option if you are not having a table before.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Click on Insert Option

Step 2: Click on Table and Choose Template

Now from the drop-down menu select "Table" and the template you want to insert in the document.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select "Insert" Option >> Choose Template

Step 3: Right-click on the Table and Select Table Properties

To access customization options, right-click on the selected table. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on Table Properties to open the properties panel on the right side.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select the Table >> Right-click on the Table

Step 4: Click on the Color Tab and Select Color Type

Within the Table Properties panel, look for the Color tab. Here, you can choose to change the Background color or the Border color of the table.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select Color Tab >> Select Color Type

Step 5: Select Color

Select the desired color you want to fill with, you can also add your custom color to the table by clicking on the pencil icon.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Doc
Select Color

Step 6: Preview Table

Your color will be added after you click on your desired color from the color table.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Doc
Color Added

How to Change Table Color in Google Docs

Quickly learn how to modify the color of an existing table in your document.

Step 1: Open Google Docs and Select the Document

Open your desired google document and select the table in which you want to change the color and perform a right-click on the table.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Doc
Select the table >> Right click on the table

Step 2: Select Table Properties

Now from the drop down menu appeared select "Table Properties" to open properties of the table.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select "Table Properties"

Step 3: Select Color Tab and Choose Color

After selecting the Table Properties option select the Color Tab from the right-side of the interface and choose whether you want to change the background color or the border color of the table.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select Color tab >> Select Color

Step 4: Select the Table or Background color

Now select your desired color from the given colors.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select Color

How to Change Table Color in Google Docs on Mobile (Android & iPhone)

If you’re using the Google Docs mobile app on Android or iPhone, follow these steps to color your tables:

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch the Google Docs app on your mobile device and open the document containing the table you want to edit.

Step 2: Select the Table

Tap on the table to select it. You should see a blue border around the table indicating it's selected.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select the Table

Step 3: Access Table Properties

Tap on the three vertical dots (more options) in the upper right corner of the screen, then select "Table properties" from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Change the Table Color

In the Table properties menu, you’ll find options for "Table border color," "Cell background color," and more. Tap on "Cell background color" to choose a new color for the selected cells.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Change the Table Color

Step 5: Choose Your Color

Select your desired color from the color palette. You can also choose a custom color if you prefer.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Choose Your Color

Step 6: Apply the Changes

After selecting the color, tap the checkmark (✔️) or "Done" to apply the changes to your table.

Step 7: Review Your Table

Check your table to ensure the color change is applied as you wanted. If necessary, repeat the steps to make further adjustments.

How to Fill a Cell with Color in Google Docs

In the case you want to fill a particular cell with color in Google Docs then you can follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch the Google Docs app or website and open the document containing the table where you want to fill a cell with color.

Step 2: Select the Cell

Click or tap on the cell you want to fill with color to select it.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Open Document >> Select the Cell

Step 3: Access Table Properties

Right-click (or tap on the three vertical dots in the toolbar if on mobile) to open the context menu. Select "Table properties" or, on mobile, choose "Cell background color" directly.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Access Table Properties

Step 4: Choose Fill Color

In the Table properties menu, look for the "Cell background color" option. Click or tap on it to open the color palette.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Choose Fill Color

Step 5: Select Your Color

Choose your desired color from the palette. You can also select a custom color if needed.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Select Your Color

Step 6: Review Your Changes

Check the cell to ensure the color has been applied as you wanted. If necessary, repeat the steps to fill other cells.

How to Fill a Table with Color in Google Docs
Review Your Changes

Why Color Your Tables in Google Docs

Using colors in your tables can enhance the readability and presentation of your data. It helps in:

  • Improved Readability: Highlight key rows, columns, or cells to make critical data stand out.
  • Professional Look: Add aesthetic appeal for reports, presentations, or documents shared with stakeholders.
  • Data Categorization: Use different colors to classify data groups, trends, or segments.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to fill a table with color in Google Docs, you can easily create visually engaging documents. Whether you want to highlight specific data, create contrast, or simply make your table more vibrant, adding color is a quick way to improve your document’s presentation.

By using the methods in this guide, you can easily customize your table colors for a more professional look and better organization. Try experimenting with different colors and formatting options to make your tables stand out in your next Google Docs project.


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