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Remove White Background of Text in Revit: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction: Why White Text Backgrounds Are a Problem

If you’ve ever created drawings in Revit, you might have noticed something frustrating. Whenever you add text, it comes with a solid white background. This might not sound like a big deal at first, but once you zoom in or overlap notes with elements, it looks like a sticker pasted on top of your plan.

This “sticker effect” can make drawings look messy and unprofessional. It blocks details underneath, distracts from the actual design, and creates extra work during presentations. For students, it can cost marks on submissions. For professionals, it may look sloppy in front of clients or contractors.

Thankfully, there’s a simple fix. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to remove the white background of text in Revit so your notes look clean and blend seamlessly with your drawings.

Step 1: Select the Text

The process begins with selecting the text you want to edit. Click on the text annotation in your plan or sheet view. Once selected, you’ll notice the Properties panel on the left (or right, depending on your setup) becomes active.

This is where Revit shows you all the settings related to that particular element. For text, it means you can adjust style, size, and background options. Selecting the right element is important because the Properties panel only updates for what’s highlighted.

At this point, nothing has changed yet—you’ve simply told Revit which text you want to modify. Think of it as pointing your finger at the problem before fixing it.

Step 2: Accessing Edit Type in Properties

Once your text is selected, look at the Properties panel. You’ll see a button labeled Edit Type. Click on it to open the Type Properties dialogue box.

Here’s an important detail: changes in Instance Properties only affect the text you currently selected. But Type Properties affect all text that uses the same style. This is why using Edit Type is so powerful—you can make global changes in just a few clicks.

For example, if you want all of your text notes to have transparent backgrounds, changing the setting here ensures consistency. No need to fix each piece of text one by one.

Step 3: Changing the Background Setting

Inside the Type Properties dialogue, scroll until you find the Graphics section. Under this section, look for the Background setting.

By default, it’s usually set to Opaque. This is the setting that causes the white box effect behind text. To fix it, click the dropdown and switch it to Transparent.

Once you hit Apply or OK, the change takes effect instantly. The white background disappears, and your text now looks like it’s naturally part of the drawing.

Case example of  Editing Text background in Revit

In Revit file, Text inserted has a white background this create a sticker effect which can easily be removed as follows,

Text with White background

During presentation while zooming in this effect does not blend with the plan

1. Select the Text

2. Under properties of the Text - Click Edit Type

3. Under Type properties dialogue box - From Background -  Set it as Transparent

Dialogue box to update the setting for Text background.

Text background is transparent with out white background.

Its done!

Step 4: Checking the Result in the Drawing

After making the change, go back to your plan or sheet view. You’ll notice the difference right away. The text no longer has that sticker-like box behind it. Instead, it blends seamlessly with the lines, walls, or furniture in the background.

Zoom in and out to confirm the change. Unlike before, the text will look clean at every scale. This is especially useful when exporting to PDF or printing, where the white background often creates awkward gaps in the drawings.

This small tweak may only take a few seconds, but it dramatically improves how your work looks.

Why Transparent Text Backgrounds Are Better

You might be wondering why this change matters so much. After all, opaque text is readable. But here’s why transparent backgrounds are better:

• Cleaner look: The drawing appears more professional and polished without white boxes.
• No visual clutter: Details under the text remain visible, which is critical in construction documents.
• Better presentations: For competitions, classes, or clients, transparent text gives a sleek appearance.
• Scalable clarity: The text looks good whether you zoom in, zoom out, or print at different sizes.

It’s a small detail that has a big impact on how your work is perceived.

Best Practices for Text in Revit

Now that you know how to fix the background issue, let’s talk about best practices for text management in Revit:

• Keep styles consistent. Use a limited set of text types with clear formatting rules. This avoids mismatched graphics.
• Size matters. Choose font sizes that are easy to read but not overpowering on the sheet.
• Placement is key. Don’t let notes overlap with critical details in the plan.
• Use transparency by default. Unless you have a special reason, transparent backgrounds are the most professional choice.

When followed, these habits save time, improve readability, and make collaboration easier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many beginners make small mistakes with Revit text that add up to big headaches. Here are some to avoid:

• Forgetting to apply changes. If you hit Cancel instead of OK in Type Properties, the settings won’t update.
• Mixing opaque and transparent backgrounds. Inconsistent styles confuse viewers and look unpolished.
• Ignoring sheet previews. Always check how text appears on the sheet before finalizing or printing.
• Overcrowding with text notes. Use text sparingly. Too many notes make drawings hard to read, even if backgrounds are transparent.

By keeping these in mind, you’ll avoid common frustrations.

Use Cases of Transparent Text Backgrounds

Transparent text backgrounds are useful in almost every situation. Here are a few examples:

• Student drawings: Clean and professional submissions stand out to professors.
• Professional presentations: Notes blend with the design, giving clients a polished impression.
• Construction documentation: Annotations don’t block critical details like dimensions or wall types.
• Competitions and portfolios: Graphics look sharper, making boards more visually appealing.

No matter the context, this small adjustment elevates your drawings.

FAQs on Removing White Background of Text in Revit

Does this change all the text in my project?
Only text that shares the same style. You can create multiple styles with different settings.

Can I go back to opaque backgrounds later?
Yes, just switch the Background setting back to Opaque.

Why doesn’t my text update?
Make sure you edited the correct text type and applied the changes.

Will transparency affect printing?
No, it simply removes the white box. The text will print normally.

Is this available in all versions of Revit?
Yes, most modern versions of Revit support this option in Type Properties.

Conclusion: A Simple Step for Cleaner Drawings

The white background behind Revit text might seem like a small issue, but it can make drawings look messy and unprofessional. The good news is that fixing it is quick and easy.

By switching the background setting from Opaque to Transparent, your notes blend smoothly into your drawings. The result is cleaner, sharper, and more professional documents—whether you’re a student presenting in class or a professional preparing construction documents.

Small details like this show care and attention in your work. Next time you’re adding notes, remember this hack to remove white background of text in Revit and give your drawings the polished finish they deserve.