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.

1

Create or open a Microsoft Word document.

  1. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 1
    You can open the document by double-clicking the file on your computer. Alternatively, open Word first, and then create a new document or choose an existing one to work on.
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2

Go to the Design toolbar.

  1. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 2
    Click the Design tab at the top of the window. This opens your Design tools.
3

Open the Watermark tool.

  1. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 3
    Click Watermark on the toolbar. You'll see it in the "Page Background" area toolbar in the upper-right part of the window.
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4

Customize the watermark.

  1. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 4
    Use the settings in the dialog box to design your watermark. You can choose one of the sample watermarks, such as Confidential, Do Not Copy, or Sample for a fast, easy watermarking option, or click Custom watermark... at the bottom of the menu to choose any of these custom options:
    • Click Picture watermark to use an image. Select a photo and customize the size by selecting an option from the Scale menu. Leave "Washout" checked to make the image more transparent.
    • Click Text watermark to add a text watermark to the background of your document. You can choose a preset word/phrase or type your own text.
      • Click the Font: drop-down to choose a font face.
      • Click the Size: drop-down to adjust the size of the font or allow Word to adjust the size automatically.
      • Check the box next to "Semitransparent" for a more transparent text effect.
      • Click on either Horizontal or Diagonal to set the orientation of the watermark.
5

Save your watermark.

  1. Image titled Add a Watermark to a Page in Microsoft Word Step 5
    Click OK to apply the watermark to the document. The watermark now appears behind the text and images in your Word document.
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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.
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About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
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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 414,524 times.
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Co-authors: 21
Updated: March 18, 2023
Views: 414,524
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

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