What does the 'text-align' property do in CSS?

The 'text-align' property in CSS is specifically used to control the horizontal alignment of text within a container. When applied to a block-level element like a <div> or <p>, it can align the text to the left, center, right, or justify it across the container's width. This property is crucial for design and layout purposes, as it helps define how textual content is presented on a webpage, making it critical for achieving desired aesthetics and readability.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of 'text-align'. While vertical alignment is managed through other properties such as 'vertical-align', coloring text involves the 'color' property, and text decoration like underlining or striking through is controlled with the 'text-decoration' property. Each of these properties serves distinct purposes in CSS, highlighting the specific role of 'text-align' in managing how text is positioned horizontally within its containing element.