How to Add Backgrounds in Microsoft Word: Watermarks, Images, & Colors

Insert a watermark or change the background

Want to add a watermark to the background of your Word document? Or maybe you want to swap out the white background for an image or new color. All of this is easy to do using the Design tab! There are tons of options for preset and custom backgrounds, including some stock watermark text with options like "Confidential," "Do Not Copy," and "Draft." This wikiHow will show you how to add watermarks and backgrounds in Microsoft Word on your Windows PC or Mac.

Things You Should Know

  • To add a watermark background such as "Confidential" or "Do Not Copy," click the Design tab and select Watermark.
  • When adding a watermark background, you can select a stock background or use your own image.
  • To change the background color of a page, click the Design tab, select Page Color, and choose a color.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Adding a Background Picture

  1. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 30
    1
    Click the Design tab. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.
    • Use this method if you want to fill the background of your document with a custom image. This is different than a watermark, which would be more transparent on the page.
  2. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 31
    2
    Click Page Color. It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window.
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  3. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 32
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    Click Fill Effects. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu here.
  4. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 33
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    Click the Picture tab. You'll see it at the top of the "Fill Effects" window.
  5. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 34
    5
    Click Select Picture. It's near the top of the window.
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    Click From a File. This option is at the top of the "Printed Watermark" window. Clicking it will open your computer's default picture storage file (e.g., "Photos") for browsing.
    • You can also choose Bing or OneDrive from this menu if you'd rather search for a photo or use one from Cloud storage, respectively.
  7. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 7
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    Click a picture. Doing so will select it.
  8. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 8
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    Click Insert.
  9. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 9
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    Click OK. It's at the bottom of the window; doing so will apply your selected picture to your document's background.
    • Unlike with an image watermark, this background picture won't be transparent.
  10. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 10
    10
    Add text to your document, like usual. Your text color will change to stay visible if the picture you chose is too dark or too light to adequately display text.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Changing the Background Color

  1. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 42
    1
    Click Design. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.[1]
    • Use this method if you want to change the background of your Word document to a color other than the default white option.
  2. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 43
    2
    Click Page Color. It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window.
  3. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 44
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    Click a color. Doing so will apply it to your document's background. If needed, your document's default font color will change in order to stay visible. Now you’re ready to add text, create tables, and format your next paper.
    • If you want to create your own color, click More Colors below the color options here. You'll be able to click and drag a slider around a color gradient to create a custom color.
    • You can also click Fill Effects to add pre-determined textures or patterns to your document's background.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Adding a Stock Watermark

  1. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 3
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    Click the Design tab. This tab is near the top-left of the Word window.
    • A watermark is an image that's superimposed on the background with transparency. Use this method if you want to choose a built-in watermark image that says "Confidential," "Draft," "Sample," "Do Not Copy," or similar behind the text and objects in your document.
  2. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 4
    2
    Click Watermark. It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar, near the top of the window. You'll see this option to the left of the "Page Color" and "Page Borders" options.
  3. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 16
    3
    Click a watermark template. You can select any of the following templates to apply their text to your Word document's background:
    • "CONFIDENTIAL"
    • "DO NOT COPY"
    • "ASAP"
    • "URGENT"
  4. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 17
    4
    Add text to your document, like usual. The watermark will remain in the background of your document, meaning anything you type will remain on top of the watermark.
    • You can remove a watermark by clicking Remove Watermark at the bottom of the watermark templates drop-down menu.
    • Don’t forget to occasionally save your Word document to prevent losing any work!
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Adding a Custom Image Watermark

  1. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 9
    1
    Click Design. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.[2]
    • A watermark is an image that will be superimposed on the background with transparency. Use this method if you have a specific image, such as a company logo or "Confidential" image that you want to appear behind the text and objects in your document.
  2. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 10
    2
    Click Watermark. It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window. You'll see this option to the left of the "Page Color" and "Page Borders" options.
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    Click Custom Watermark. This option is near the middle of the "Watermarks" drop-down menu. Clicking it will bring up the "Printed Watermark" window.
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    Click the circle next to "Picture watermark". It's near the top of the "Printed Watermark" window.
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    Click Select Picture. You'll see this button just below the "Picture watermark" section.
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    Click From a File. This option is at the top of the "Printed Watermark" window. Clicking it will open your computer's default picture storage file (e.g., "Photos") for browsing.
    • You can also choose Bing or OneDrive from this menu if you'd rather search for a photo or use one from Cloud storage, respectively.
  7. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 24
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    Click a picture. Doing so will select it for your watermark.
  8. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 25
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    Click Insert. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. This action will take you back to the "Printed Watermark" window.
  9. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 26
    9
    Click OK. You'll find this at the bottom of the window. Your selected picture will appear as your document's background watermark.
    • You can also resize your picture by clicking the "Auto" box and choosing a percentage (e.g., 200).
    • Uncheck the "Washout" box to prevent your picture from appearing transparent.
  10. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 27
    10
    Add text to your document, like usual. The watermark will remain in the background of your document, meaning anything you type will remain on top of your selected image. Your text color will also change to stay visible if the picture you chose is too dark or too light to adequately display text.
    • Did you know you can cross out words in your Word document? It’s a great way to indicate a completed or canceled task.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Adding a Custom Text Watermark

  1. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 21
    1
    Click the Design tab. This tab is in the top-left side of the Word window.
    • This method will add your custom text to the background of your document. This is helpful if you want certain text to appear behind the main text and objects in your document, such as your company name or a legal notice.
  2. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 22
    2
    Click Watermark. It's in the top-right side of the Word toolbar near the top of the window. You'll see this option to the left of the "Page Color" and "Page Borders" options.
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    Click Custom Watermark. This option is near the middle of the "Watermarks" drop-down menu. Clicking it will bring up the "Printed Watermark" window.
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    Click the circle next to "Text watermark". It's in the middle-left side of the "Printed Watermark" window.
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    Type your watermark's text into the "Text" box. This box is near the middle of the window; it should say "ASAP" by default. Your other customization options include the following:
    • Font - The style of text that your watermark uses.
    • Size - Your watermark's size. "Auto", which automatically resizes your text, is the default setting.
    • Color - The watermark's color.
    • Layout - You can click Diagonal or Horizontal here to determine how your watermark is oriented.
    • You can also uncheck the "Semitransparent" box to display your watermark in a bold format.
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    Click OK. You'll find this at the bottom of the window. Your custom text watermark will be applied to your document's background.
  7. Image titled Add Backgrounds in Word Step 34
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    Add text to your document, like usual. The watermark will remain in the background of your document, meaning anything you type will remain on top of your watermark text, even the page numbers.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I put a different watermark on each page?
    Teela Borrowdale
    Teela Borrowdale
    Community Answer
    No. If you add a watermark to one page, it will appear on every page of the document.
  • Question
    How can I add a watermark?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Open your Word document and click on the Design tab in the ribbon. Select the watermark option on the Page Background menu. If you want to add a picture, click on Custom Watermark.
  • Question
    How do I write text onto a background that I have imported?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You would have to edit the photo itself using a picture editor, like Photoshop or Paint. After editing the photo, you can import the new version.
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Warnings

  • Never use an image that is subject to copyright when you add a background to a document you plan on printing or distributing. Whenever possible, create your own images or upload photographs you have taken instead.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-change-or-delete-the-background-color-in-word-db481e61-7af6-4063-bbcd-b276054a5515
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-background-picture-or-image-in-word-08782ea3-086c-4778-94bb-2ea3d187f83e

About This Article

Kyle Smith
Written by:
Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith. Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been viewed 1,130,381 times.
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Co-authors: 14
Updated: January 15, 2023
Views: 1,130,381
Categories: Microsoft Word
Article SummaryX

1. Click the Design tab.
2. Click Page Color.
3. Click Fill Effects.
4. Click Picture.
5. Click Select Picture.
6. Click From a File.
7. Select the file and click Insert.
8. Click OK.

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