how do you highlight something in pages

How to Highlight in Pages: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Jessica LeeApril 26, 2026

When it comes to drawing attention to specific information in a web page, highlighting is a powerful tool. It's an effective way to guide readers through a page, making important points stand out. But how do you highlight something in pages? This guide walks you through various methods using both HTML and CSS.

Highighting can serve numerous purposes, from signaling key information to improving accessibility. According to WebAIM, highlighting can help users understand the structure of the page, maintain context, and follow the flow of information. So, let's dive into the various ways you can highlight something on a web page.

Using HTML to Highlight Text

HTML provides a few simple ways to highlight text. One standard method is using the tag. This tag is often used to indicate search query results or to highlight text that has been updated or added.

🖍️📚 Highlighter Color Coding Guide for Better Notes ✨🌈

a poster with different types of markers and writing words on it, including the title

Here's a basic example: ```html

This is some highlighted text using the tag.

a piece of paper with writing on it that says, highlight key for notes

```

Using the Tag

The tag is used to give text a strong importance, for instance, for errors, warnings, or important notices. It's not typically used for aesthetic purposes, but it can be useful in certain contexts.

Example: ```html
This is an important message.
```

Using the Tag

Similar to , the tag is used to make text bold. It doesn't come with the same semantic meaning as , but it can be used when the importance aspect is not applicable. ```html
шено bold text using the tag.
```

Using CSS for More Control

While HTML tags provide a simple way to highlight text, CSS gives you much more control over the presentation.

You can use CSS to change the background color, text color, add a border, or even animate the highlight. Here are a few examples:

Background Color Change

You can change the background color of the text to make it stand out. ```css
This text is highlighted with a yellow background.
```

Note: For multiple occurrences, use a class to avoid repetition: ```css .yellow-highlight { background-color: yellow; } ```

Text Color Change

Changing the text color can also draw attention to it. ```css
This text is highlighted with blue text.
```

Add a Border

Adding a border around the text can make it stand out. This can be done with the tag or with CSS pseudo-elements. ```css
Bordered text
```

Animations

Using CSS animations, you can create dynamic highlights. For instance, you can make the background color pulse: ```css @keyframes yellowPulse { 0% { background-color: #fff; } 50% { background-color: #ff0; } 100% { background-color: #fff; } } .yellow-pulse { animation: yellowPulse 2s infinite; } ```

Remember, not all highlighting methods are equally accessible. For instance, simply changing the text color can make it illegible for users with certain types of color blindness. Always test your highlighting methods with different users and tools to ensure they're accessible. Ultimately, the best highlight is one that serves its purpose without sacrificing accessibility.