How to Add Gradient Effect to Text

A gradient effect on text involves applying a smooth transition of colors across the characters or background of text, creating a blend from one color to another or multiple colors. This effect adds depth, visual interest, and a dynamic appearance to the text, making it stand out and enhancing its aesthetic appearance. Gradient effects can be linear (colors transition in a straight line) or radial (colors transition from a central point outward)

How to Add Gradient Effect to Text

Download a C# library that enables adding gradients to text
Apply the text effect to either newly created or existing text
Use a preset gradient effect by using the static named instance of the Gradient class
Configure the GradientEffect properties to customize the text outline
Export the edited Word document as a new file

Add Gradient Effect

To specify the gradient effect for the text, create the TextStyle object and populate the GradientEffect property with a Gradient object. Finally, add new text with the style by assigning the TextStyle object to the TextEffect property.

:path=/static-assets/word/content-code-examples/how-to/text-effect-gradient-effect.cs

using IronWord;
using IronWord.Models;

// Create new Word document
WordDocument doc = new WordDocument();

// Create and configure text style
TextStyle textStyle = new TextStyle();
textStyle.TextEffect = new TextEffect()
{
    GradientEffect = Gradient.DefaultGray,
};

// Add text with style
doc.AddText("Hello World").Style = textStyle;

// Export new Word document
doc.SaveAs("gradientEffect.docx");

Imports IronWord
Imports IronWord.Models

' Create new Word document
Private doc As New WordDocument()

' Create and configure text style
Private textStyle As New TextStyle()
textStyle.TextEffect = New TextEffect() With {.GradientEffect = Gradient.DefaultGray}

' Add text with style
doc.AddText("Hello World").Style = textStyle

' Export new Word document
doc.SaveAs("gradientEffect.docx")

VB C#

Gradient Effect Properties

The gradient effect provides a range of adjustable attributes to meet diverse design requirements. See the following list for detailed descriptions of each property:

GradientStop

Color: Gets or sets the scheme color of the gradient stop.
StopPoint: Gets or sets the position of the gradient stop.

Gradient stops are points within a gradient where a specific color is defined.

Gradient

StopPoints: Gets or sets the list of gradient stops defining the gradient fill.
LinearShadeScaled: Gets or sets a value indicating whether the linear shade is scaled.
LinearShadeAngle: Gets or sets the angle of the linear shade.

:path=/static-assets/word/content-code-examples/how-to/text-effect-customized-gradient-effect.cs

using IronWord;
using IronWord.Models;
using System.Collections.Generic;

// Create new Word document
WordDocument doc = new WordDocument();

// Create gradient stops
GradientStop firstGradientStop = new GradientStop()
{
    Color = IronWord.Models.Color.Aqua,
    StopPoint = 1
};
GradientStop secondGradientStop = new GradientStop()
{
    Color = IronWord.Models.Color.OrangeRed,
    StopPoint = 10
};

// Create and configure text style
TextStyle textStyle = new TextStyle();
textStyle.TextEffect = new TextEffect()
{
    GradientEffect = new Gradient()
    {
        StopPoints = new List<GradientStop> { firstGradientStop, secondGradientStop },
        LinearShadeAngle = 45,
        LinearShadeScaled = true,
    }
};

// Add text with style
doc.AddText("Hello World").Style = textStyle;

// Export new Word document
doc.SaveAs("customizedGradientEffect.docx");

Imports IronWord
Imports IronWord.Models
Imports System.Collections.Generic

' Create new Word document
Private doc As New WordDocument()

' Create gradient stops
Private firstGradientStop As New GradientStop() With {
	.Color = IronWord.Models.Color.Aqua,
	.StopPoint = 1
}
Private secondGradientStop As New GradientStop() With {
	.Color = IronWord.Models.Color.OrangeRed,
	.StopPoint = 10
}

' Create and configure text style
Private textStyle As New TextStyle()
textStyle.TextEffect = New TextEffect() With {
	.GradientEffect = New Gradient() With {
		.StopPoints = New List(Of GradientStop) From {firstGradientStop, secondGradientStop},
		.LinearShadeAngle = 45, .LinearShadeScaled = True
	}
}

' Add text with style
doc.AddText("Hello World").Style = textStyle

' Export new Word document
doc.SaveAs("customizedGradientEffect.docx")

VB C#

How to Add Gradient Effect to Text