A color code, also called a hex code, is a six-character combination of numbers and letters that represents a specific color. Each color begins with a # symbol followed by six digits.

For example, #000000 represents black, #FFFFFF represents white, and #003366 represents dark blue. These codes allow you to pick exact shades rather than guessing from the color palette. 

Using hex codes helps you test and correct colors precisely when working with online contrast checkers or customizing Word themes. Accessible color combinations typically include black text on a white background, dark blue on light gray, or dark gray on cream. The key is strong contrast between text and background rather than a specific color. 

Before adjusting your document, learn why color contrast matters and how to evaluate it. 

Start by finding out which colors are causing low contrast. 

1. Open your Word document and review any text, shapes, or highlights that use color.
2. Identify the text color and background color using the Font Color and Shading tools under the Home tab.
3. Use one of the following free tools to test the color contrast ratio:
   • WebAIM Contrast Checker
   • TPGI Color Contrast Anaylzer

Once you know which colors fail, update them directly in your document.

1. Go to the Design tab and select Colors > Customize Colors.
2. In the color picker window, choose the drop-down arrow next to a theme color (for example, Accent 1 or Hyperlink).
3. Select More Colors, then go to the Custom tab.
4. In the Hex field, type or paste your new color code (for example, #000000 for black or #003366 for dark blue).
5. Preview the change in the Sample area.
6. Click Save to apply or Reset to undo.
7. (Optional) Save your new color set as a custom theme to reuse later.

Watch: Change a Theme and Make It the Default in Word or Excel (Microsoft Support)

After changing the theme, existing text or shapes may still keep their old colors. Apply your new accessible colors directly to the content. 

1. Highlight the text you want to fix.
2. On the Home tab, open the Font Color menu and select a color from your updated theme, or choose More Colors to enter a hex code.
3. For larger sections, apply changes through the Styles pane by modifying the Normal or Heading styles to use the new accessible colors.
4. Recheck any shapes, borders, or charts to ensure that the color contrast meets the same standards. 

Tip: Updating styles ensures that future edits automatically follow your accessible color choices. 

1. Use black or dark gray text on a white or light background whenever possible.
2. Keep hyperlink text underlined and in a blue that passes contrast checks.
3. Avoid low-contrast combinations such as light gray or yellow on white.
4. When using color for emphasis, pair it with bold text or labels so meaning is not lost.
5. If you use shading or colored boxes, test both the text and background color together. 

1. Run the Accessibility Checker under the Review tab to confirm no contrast issues remain.
2. Save your document.
3. When exporting to PDF, use our Saving Word and PowerPoint (PPT) Files to PDF Guide for a more accessible PDF export.

For more, review these additional resources: 

• Word Accessibility Part 1: Creating Accessible Word Documents (video)
• Word Accessibility Part 2: Fixing Inaccessible Word Documents (video)
• Creating Accessible Word Documents
• Change a theme and make it the default in Word or Excel
• Six Essentials of Digital Accessibility: Color Contrast

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