How do I highlight text in python-sphinx?

Question

I'm looking for a way to highlight text in python sphinx. I have seen documentation on how to change the font colour of individual words, but I want to change the background colour of individual words.

Answer 1

Sphinx already supports highlighted text with the s5defs.txt standard definition file intended for inclusion (but is missing the CSS file):

1. Create/append this text to the value of rst_epilog sphinx configuration, in your docs/conf.py file:

   rst_epilog = """
   .. include:: <s5defs.txt>
   """
   

2. Follow Sphinx's instructions to add a CSS with the outline you like:

   • Place your css file into e.g. _static/css/s4defs-roles.css;

   • append it's path into shtml_css_files sphinx configuration:

     html_css_files = [
         'css/s4defs-roles.css',
     ]
     

You may then use:

Some :outline:`outlined text` at last!

TIP: Read this SO if you also want the styling to appear in Latex output.