w:color (Text Color)

Description

w:color sets the foreground (font) colour of the text in the run. It is defined in ECMA-376 Part 1 §17.3.2.6.

The primary value is either a 6-digit RGB hex string (e.g. FF0000 for red) or the keyword auto, which instructs the renderer to choose an automatic colour — typically black unless the background requires contrast. Theme colours can optionally be layered on top via the w:themeColor, w:themeTint, and w:themeShade attributes.

Attributes

Examples

<!-- Explicit red text -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="FF0000"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color { Val = "FF0000" });

<!-- Theme-based accent color with tint (lightened) -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="4472C4" w:themeColor="accent1" w:themeTint="BF"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color
  {
    Val = "4472C4",
    ThemeColor = ThemeColorValues.Accent1,
    ThemeTint = "BF"  // Lightens toward white
  });

<!-- Auto color: picks black on light, white on dark -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="auto"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color { Val = "auto" });

Common Colors Reference

Theme Colors

Color Themes & Tinting

Theme Color Tinting Strategy

Theme colors provide flexibility and automatic updates:

<!-- Light tint of accent color (90% lighter) -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="4472C4" w:themeColor="accent1" w:themeTint="E6"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color
  {
    Val = "4472C4",
    ThemeColor = ThemeColorValues.Accent1,
    ThemeTint = "E6"  // 90% lighter
  });

<!-- Medium tint (50% lighter) -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="4472C4" w:themeColor="accent1" w:themeTint="80"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color
  {
    Val = "4472C4",
    ThemeColor = ThemeColorValues.Accent1,
    ThemeTint = "80"  // 50% lighter
  });

<!-- Dark shade (50% darker) -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="4472C4" w:themeColor="accent1" w:themeShade="50"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color
  {
    Val = "4472C4",
    ThemeColor = ThemeColorValues.Accent1,
    ThemeShade = "50"  // 50% darker
  });

Tint Range: 00 (white) to FF (full color) Shade Range: 00 (black) to FF (full color)

Visual Hierarchy Using Color Depth

Palette Design

Monochrome Safety (Black/Gray/White)

<!-- Black for primary text -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="000000"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color { Val = "000000" });  // Black text

<!-- Gray for secondary text -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="808080"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color { Val = "808080" });  // Gray text

<!-- Light gray for disabled -->
<w:rPr>
  <w:color w:val="C0C0C0"/>
</w:rPr>

new RunProperties(
  new Color { Val = "C0C0C0" });  // Light gray text

Accessible Color Combinations

WCAG Compliance: Aim for 4.5:1 contrast for body text (Level AA); 7:1 (Level AAA)

Theme Color Reference

RGB to Hex Conversion Examples

Notes

• Format: 6-digit uppercase hex RGB (e.g., FF0000 for red).
• Auto Color: Default; renderer picks best contrast against background.
• Theme Precedence: Theme attributes override w:val when document theme is active; updating theme automatically updates text.
• Tint (Lighten): themeTint value FF = full color, 00 = white; useful for creating visual hierarchy.
• Shade (Darken): themeShade value FF = full color, 00 = black; for emphasis and depth.
• RGB Hex Order: Format is RRGGBB (Red, Green, Blue).
• Theme Advantage: Theme colors auto-update when document theme changes.
• Fallback: Always include w:val hex for consumers that don’t support themes.
• Transparency: OpenXML colors don’t support alpha channel; use background shading for opacity.
• Color Blindness: Avoid red-green only combinations; include blue or gray for accessibility.
• Contrast: Use WCAG contrast ratio calculators to ensure readability.
• Print Stability: RGB colors may print differently; test on target printer.
• Localization: Color meaning varies by culture; red = danger in West, prosperity in China.
• Accessibility: Don’t rely on color alone for meaning; combine with text, icons, or patterns.
• Compatibility: RGB colors render consistently; theme colors work best in modern Office.