How to Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word

This wikiHow teaches you how to add a watermark to a Microsoft Word document.

Steps

  1. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 1
    1
    Create a new or open an existing Microsoft Word document. Do so by opening the blue and white app with a "W," clicking on File in the menu bar, then clicking on:
    • New Document to create a new document; or
    • Open... to open an existing document.
  2. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 2
    2
    Click on the Design tab at the top of the window.
  3. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 3
    3
    Click on Watermark in the upper-right part of the window.
  4. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 4
    4
    Customize the watermark. Use the settings in the dialog box to do so:
    • Click on Picture to use an image for a watermark.
      • Click on Select Picture... to choose the image
      • Click on the Scale: drop-down to select the scale or allow Word to scale it automatically.
      • Leave "Washout" checked to make the image more transparent.
    • Click on Text to add a text watermark to the background of your document.
      • Click on the field below "Text" to select a preset watermark or to type your own custom watermark.
      • Click on the Font: drop-down to choose a font for the watermark.
      • Click on the Size: drop-down to adjust the size of the font or enable Word to adjust the size automatically.
      • Check "Bold" or "Italic" if you'd like to apply either of these styles to the text.
      • Use the Transparency: slider to adjust the opacity of the watermark.
      • Select the color of your watermark from the Font Color: drop-down.
      • Click on either Horizontal or Diagonal to set the orientation of the watermark.
  5. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 5
    5
    Click on OK. The watermark will be applied to and appear behind the text and images in your Word document.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Why is it under the text?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Because that's just how Word's watermarks default on the page.
  • Question
    How can I add a watermark on each page of my report?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you go to the "Design" tab, you will find a "Watermark" option all the way to the right. Choose from featured watermarks, get some from Office.com, add your own custom watermark, or remove a watermark.
  • Question
    How do I move a watermark picture to place it where I want on the page?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Click "Picture". Click the button that says "Add watermark". Move your watermark with your clicker.
  • Question
    How do I add a watermark to one page only?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    First add the watermark to your document via the standard means. Double-click the Header tab to activate. Left-click the watermark on the page where you want it maintained and press Ctrl-C. Next, click on the watermark on any of the other pages and press delete. Close the header section, and the watermark will now show on only the page of interest.

You Might Also Like

Add Backgrounds in Word
How to
Add Backgrounds in Word
Make a Watermark
How to
Make a Watermark
Create a 3D Object in Microsoft Word
How to
Create a 3D Object in Microsoft Word
Double Space in Word
How to
Double Space in Word
Overline Characters in Microsoft Word
How to
Overline Characters in Microsoft Word
Insert Symbols in an MS Word Document
How to
Insert Symbols in an MS Word Document
Change the Orientation of Text in Microsoft Word
How to
Change the Orientation of Text in Microsoft Word
Remove a Blank Page in Word
How to
Remove a Blank Page in Word
Create an Index in Word
How to
Create an Index in Word
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
How to
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
Convert a JPEG Image Into an Editable Word Document
How to
Convert a JPEG Image Into an Editable Word Document
Corrupt a Word File
How to
Corrupt a Word File
Insert a Check Box in Word
How to
Insert a Check Box in Word
Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
How to
Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 406,450 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 20
Updated: May 14, 2018
Views: 406,450
Categories: Featured Articles | Microsoft Word
Article SummaryX

1. Create or open a Word document.
2. Click on Design.
3. Click on Watermark.
4. Customize the watermark.
5. Click on OK

Did this summary help you?