How to Use Color Replacement in MS Paint

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to use Paint's color replacement feature on a Windows computer. Microsoft Paint can't replace complex colors the way that Photoshop can, but you can use the eraser tool to replace a simple color with another color without touching the other colors in the project.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Type in paint , then click Paint in the Start menu. The Paint window will open.
    • If you see something called "Paint 3D", don't select it—Paint 3D is separate from Microsoft Paint.
    Advertisement
  3. While Paint's color replacement feature can't handle complex colors, you can open a simple Paint project or clip art to edit if need be:
    • Click File in the top-left corner of the Paint window.
    • Click Open in the drop-down menu.
    • Go to the location of the image you want to open.
    • Click the image.
    • Click Open .
    • If you aren't opening an existing file, create the Paint project you want to use before proceeding.
  4. Click the eyedropper-shaped icon in the "Tools" section at the top of the Paint window.
  5. This will assign the color to the "Color 1" section at the top of the Paint window.
    • You can zoom in to get a better view of the color by clicking + in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  6. Click its icon in the "Tools" section to do so.
    • Skip this step if the color you want to replace the first color with isn't on the canvas.
  7. This will add it to the "Color 2" box, signifying that the "Color 1" box's color will be replaced with the "Color 2" box's color.
    • If you skipped the last step, you'll instead click the Color 2 box at the top of the page and then click the color you want to use from the palette at the top of the window.
  8. Click the pink, eraser-shaped icon in the "Tools" section.
  9. This will cause the "Color 2" box's color to replace the "Color 1" box's color without altering any of the other colors on the canvas.
    • Do not use the left mouse button for this step. Doing so will cause the eraser tool to erase anything you drag it across instead of just erasing the color you selected as the one to replace.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I don't even get a yellow circle! What else can I try?
    Community Answer
    If you're on Windows 7+ the circle doesn't appear, but the cursor changes to a small square.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 36
  • Question
    How do I return the page to normal once I am on the black screen?
    Community Answer
    On the top left corner, you will see two arrows. Select the one that's blue, but furthest to the left or press Ctrl-z.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 8
  • Question
    It says to drag the mouse while holding right click. But I'm using a laptop, I can't do that! What do I do?
    Community Answer
    If you have a two-button touch pad, use one hand to right click and one hand to drag.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 22 Helpful 5
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Make sure you're using the eyedropper to select the first color. Failing to do so may cause the eraser to apply your "Color 2" color to everything it touches.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Sometimes, a colored outline will be left surrounding an object for which you replaced the color. You will have to get rid of this outline manually.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • These steps will only work for MS Paint versions 6.1 and higher. [1]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Resize an Image in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Remove the White Background in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Invert Colours in MS Paint
      How to
      Use Microsoft Paint in Windows
      How to
      Change an Image Background in MS Paint (Green Screen)
      How to
      Change the Size of the Eraser in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Create and Use Custom Icons
      How to
      Open Multiple Pictures in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Create an Icon in Paint
      How to
      Make a Blend in Microsoft Paint
      How to
      Open Microsoft Paint
      Simple Steps to Make a Gradient in MS Paint
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.labnol.org/software/ms-paint-tips/9305/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click the eyedropper tool.
      2. Click the color you want to replace.
      3. Click the eyedropper tool again.
      4. Right-click the replacement color.
      5. Click the eraser tool.
      6. Right-click and drag the color you want to replace.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 793,846 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement