Watermark in MS Word

A watermark in Microsoft Word is a faint image or text that is typically placed behind the main text of a document. Watermarks are often used to convey additional information about the document, provide branding, or designate its status, such as “Draft,” “Confidential,” or “Sample.” They can also be used for decorative or design purposes.

For Word 2013 and later versions:

1. Open Microsoft Word: Launch Microsoft Word and open the document to which you want to add a watermark, or create a new document.
2. Open the “Design” Tab:
   • In Word 2013 and later versions, you’ll find the “Design” tab on the Ribbon at the top of the application window.
3. Select “Watermark”:
   • Click on the “Design” tab to access various design-related options.
   • Look for the “Watermark” button within the “Page Background” group. Click on it to open the Watermark menu.
4. Choose a Watermark from the Gallery:
   • In the Watermark menu, you can choose from a gallery of built-in watermarks. These can include options like “Confidential,” “Draft,” “Urgent,” or decorative designs.
   • Click on a watermark to apply it to your document. The watermark will be placed behind your document’s text and will appear faded.
5. Customize a Text Watermark (Optional):
   • If you want to create a custom text watermark, you can do so by selecting the “Custom Watermark” option at the bottom of the Watermark menu.
   • In the Custom Watermark dialog box, choose “Text Watermark,” enter the text you want for the watermark, and customize its font, size, color, and orientation as needed.
   • You can also adjust the transparency to make the watermark more or less visible.
6. Customize a Picture Watermark (Optional):
   • If you want to use an image as a watermark, select the “Picture Watermark” option in the Custom Watermark dialog box.
   • Click the “Select Picture” button to choose an image from your computer.
   • You can adjust the scale and washout options to control the appearance of the picture watermark.
7. Apply and Close:
   • After customizing your watermark (if needed), click the “OK” button in the Custom Watermark dialog box to apply it to your document.
   • Click “Apply” in the Watermark menu if you used a built-in watermark from the gallery.
8. Save Your Document:
   • Make sure to save your document to retain the watermark settings.

Your Word document now has a watermark applied to it. The watermark will appear on all pages of the document unless you specify otherwise. Watermarks are often used to add a professional touch to documents or to emphasize their content, and they are particularly common in documents like drafts, reports, or confidential materials.