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How to add a watermark in Microsoft Word

Updated: 10/07/2019 by Computer Hope

A watermark placed in a document is used to inform other people that it is a draft document, contains confidential information, or that the document should not be copied. Watermarks can be used for other purposes as well, often in the business world.

To add a watermark in a Microsoft Word document, follow the steps below for your version of Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word 2013 and 2016

1. Open Microsoft Word and create a new document or open an existing document.
2. In the Ribbon menu at the top of the program window, click the Design tab.
3. In the Page Background section, click the Watermark option.
4. In the drop-down window that appears, find the watermark you want to add and click that watermark option.

If you want to create a watermark, follow the steps below.

1. In the drop-down window that appears after clicking the Watermark option on the Design tab, select the Custom Watermark option in the drop-down window.
2. In the Printed Watermark window, select either the Picture watermark or Text watermark option.
3. If Picture watermark is selected, find the picture you want to use as a watermark, then click OK.
4. If Text watermark is selected, enter the watermark text, and the font, size, and color of the text. Click OK to add the custom text watermark.

Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010

1. Open Microsoft Word and create a new document or open an existing document.
2. In the Ribbon menu at the top of the program window, click the Page Layout tab.
3. Click the Watermark option.
4. In the drop-down window that appears, find the watermark you want to add and click that watermark option.

If you want to create a watermark, follow the steps below.

1. In the drop-down window that appears after clicking the Watermark option on the Design tab, select the Custom Watermark option in the drop-down window.
2. In the Printed Watermark window, select either the Picture watermark or Text watermark option.
3. If Picture watermark is selected, find the picture you want to use as a watermark, then click OK.
4. If Text watermark is selected, enter the watermark text, and the font, size, and color of the text. Click OK to add the custom text watermark.

Microsoft Word 2003 and earlier

1. Open Microsoft Word and create a new document or open an existing document.
2. In the menu bar at the top of the program window, click the Format menu.
3. In the Format menu, click Background, then select Printed Watermark.
4. In the Printed Watermark window, select either the Picture watermark or Text watermark option.
5. If Picture watermark is selected, find the picture you want to use as a watermark, then click OK.
6. If Text watermark is selected, enter the watermark text, and the font, size, and color of the text. Click OK to add the custom text watermark.