Hi Hedley,
What steps *are* you using? (Always provide this when asking
about a procedure.)
In general:
1. Right-click the object's *edge* (so that it shows the smooth
fuzzy border and the white sizing handles), then choose
Format Object (or Format AutoShape, depending).
[Alternative to this step: hover your mouse until the
pointer changes to a 4-way arrow, then double-click.]
2. Click the Colors and Lines tab.
3. Click the dropdown shown at Fill.
4. Choose a color and click OK.
** Alternatively **
1. Select the object (single left click when the pointer isi
showing a 4-way arrow).
2. On the Drawing Toolbar, click the small arrow next to the
Fill icon (the tilted paintbucket). [If you don't see the
Drawing Toolbar -- it's at the *bottom* of the screen --
click View-> Toolbars-> Drawing, *or* click the strange
'Drawing' icon on the Standard Toolbar (3 shapes: yellow,
blue, and turquoise]
3. Choose a color
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http://www.mvps.org/word/FindHelp/Posting.htm to
learn how to get get better, faster help.