Fill page with picture in word

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  1. On the Design tab, select Watermark > Custom Watermark.

  2. Choose Picture Watermark and select a picture.

  3. Select or clear Washout.

  4. Select OK.

To put a watermark on only one page, create a custom watermark and save it to the gallery, remove the current watermark, then put it back on one page from the gallery.

Add or change a background image or watermark

  1. Go to Design or Layout, and select Watermark.

  2. Select Picture > Select Picture, browse through your image files, and choose the image that you want to use

  3. Select Insert.

  4. If you want the background image to show with full color intensity, clear the Washout check box.

Remove a background image or watermark

  1. Go to Design or Layout, and select Watermark.

  2. Choose No watermark.

Want more? See See all our content about watermarks.

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May 21, 2021, 8:21 AM PDT

How to fill text with a picture in Word

Using this simple technique for filling text with an image, you can create unique textual designs in Microsoft Word. Here’s how.

Image: PixelMe/Shutterstock

Microsoft Word isn’t a desktop publishing app, but it has a lot of design features that anyone can use to create professional looking documents, flyers, brochures and more. For instance, when you have a fun message, you might try filling text with an image. Doing so lets you create unique content with an eye toward design, instead of ordinary text. In this article, I’ll show you how to use a SmartArt text shape to achieve this look—text filled with an image.

SEE: 69 Excel tips every user should master (TechRepublic)

I’m using Microsoft 365, but you can use older versions. You can create your own document or work with the demonstration downloadable .docx file. The browser version will display filled text, but you can’t create it in the browser.

1. Add SmartArt shape

When working with shapes, you can use the Fill property with just about any photo or drawing. Ordinary text doesn’t have a Fill property as shapes do.

Instead of using ordinary text, we’ll use a SmartArt text shape. You don’t need to put a lot of thought into which shape, though. We need only one shape that displays text. We will end up deleting some pieces and resizing the one that’s left. The demonstration document uses Landscape orientation, but that’s not necessary.

SEE: Windows 10: Lists of vocal commands for speech recognition and dictation (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Now, let’s insert a SmartArt text shape as follows:

  1. Click the Insert tab and in the Illustrations group, click SmartArt.
  2. Choose the first or second List shape, as shown in Figure A. Stay away from shapes with lots of bells and whistles because that’s all stuff you’ll have to delete anyway. The resulting shape is also shown. As you can see there are five shapes that you can use to display text. We only need one.
  3. Select four of the shapes and delete them. The remaining shape will fill the shape (Figure B).
  4. At this point, you have a larger shape box and a text box. Resize so they both stretch from the left to the right border.

Figure A

Figure B

Now that we have the SmartArt text shape, let’s add and format the text. Remember, we’re working with a text shape or box, not ordinary text.

2. Add and format the text

This step gives you lots of opportunities to be as creative or subtle as you like. The document’s mood will help dictate your choices. To follow along, enter TechRepublic into the text shape. Select the text and set the font size to 110 and click Bold. You can change the font if you like, but I didn’t. As shown in Figure C, you now have formatted text, ready to fill with a picture or drawing.

Figure C

3. Fill the text

Filling text is simple. The bigger issue is choosing the right picture. The sky really is the limit, but let the picture enhance your document’s content. Now, let’s fill the text with a picture as follows:

  1. Select the text.
  2. On the contextual Format tab, click the Text Fill dropdown in the WordArt Styles group.
  3. In the resulting dropdown, choose Picture.
  4. In the resulting dialog, enter “Bubbles” as a search term.
  5. From the picture files, choose anything—I choose the circled graphic in Figure D.
  6. Click Insert.

Figure D

The picture fills the text, as you can see in Figure E, but it’s not effective because of the background. Let’s get rid of it. With the shape (not the text) selected, click the Shape Fill dropdown in the Shape Styles group (on the contextual Format tab). Choose No Fill. Figure F shows the filled text with no background.

Figure E

Figure F

I chose a colorful pattern, just for the fun of it. You’ll want to experiment a bit until you get the hang of it. The technique is easy to implement, but make sure the filled text enhances your document instead of distracting viewers.

Also See

  • How to make fewer mistakes and work more efficiently using predictive text in Microsoft 365
    (TechRepublic)

  • How to use the many text wrapping options in Microsoft Word
    (TechRepublic)

  • Microsoft 365: A cheat sheet
    (TechRepublic)

  • Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx and Skype: Choosing the right video-conferencing apps for you (free PDF)
    (TechRepublic)

  • Checklist: Securing Windows 10 systems
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  • Everything you need to know about the Microsoft Exchange Server hack
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  • Must-read coverage: Windows 10
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Step-by-step guide to inserting pictures in Word


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Whether you’re working on a hefty research project or a friendly holiday greeting card, adding images to your Word document can really add value to your project. Whether you want to insert a picture from your computer or find one online, it’s easy to add photos in Word. This wikiHow teaches you how to insert an image into a Microsoft Word document using Windows, a Mac, and the free web version of Word.

Things You Should Know

  • Use the Insert tab on Windows, Mac, and the web app to add a picture.
  • Select Pictures > This Device to use an image on your computer.
  • Click the image to resize and reformat it.
  1. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 1

    1

    Click the place in your document where you want to insert the picture. Word’s insertion cursor, a vertical blinking bar, will appear at this point. When you insert the image, its bottom-left corner will be at this point.

    • This method works for all modern versions of Word beginning with Word 2016. You can also use it as a guide for earlier versions of Windows, although there will be fewer tools and features.
    • Changing the background is done through a different method, using the Design tab.
  2. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 2

    2

    Click the Insert tab. It’s near the top of Word between «Home» and «Draw» (or «Home» and «Design» in some versions).

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  3. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 3

    3

    Click the Pictures tool. It’s in the «Illustrations» section of the toolbar running along the top of Word. Some location options will appear. If you’re using Word 2019 or later, a menu will expand. If you’re using Word 2016 or earlier, your file browser will appear.

  4. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 4

    4

    Select the type of image you want to insert. You can choose an image on your computer, a stock image from Microsoft, or an image from the internet.

    • Word 2019 or later:
      • Click This Device if the picture is on your computer.
      • Click Stock Images to select a free stock image from Microsoft’s collection.
      • Click Online Pictures to use Bing’s image search to find photos on the web.
      • If the photo is on your OneDrive, select Online Pictures and click OneDrive at the bottom-left corner.
    • Word 2016:
      • If the picture is on your computer, simply navigate to it in the file browser.
      • If you want to search for a photo online or insert one from Facebook, Flickr, or your OneDrive, close the file browser and click the Online Pictures icon next to the «Pictures» in the toolbar. You can then select an image from Bing image search, Flickr, or Facebook.
      • If the picture is on your OneDrive, click Online Pictures instead of Pictures and click Browse next to «OneDrive.»
  5. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 5

    5

    Select the image you want to insert. When you find the picture, click it once to select it.

    • If you’re selecting from stock images or online images, you can click multiple pictures to add more than one.
    • If you’re choosing files from your computer and want to add more than one picture, hold the Ctrl button down as you click each image.
  6. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 6

    6

    Click Insert. It’ll be near the bottom-right corner of the window no matter where you’ve selected your image(s). You’re done! Continue to the next steps for formatting information, or print the document when you’re ready.

  7. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 7

    7

    Resize the picture. If you want to change the picture’s size, click it once to select it, and then drag any of the corner circles in or out.[1]

    • You can also specify the size if you want. Double-click the picture to open the Picture Format tab at the top, and then set your desired measurements next to «Height» and «Width.»
  8. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 8

    8

    Use the curved arrow at the top of the picture to rotate it. It’s above the dot at the top-center part of the picture. To rotate, place the mouse cursor over the curved arrow, and then click and drag the cursor left or right until you’re satisfied.

  9. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 9

    9

    Double-click the picture to access more editing tools. This opens the «Picture Format» (2019 and later) or «Format» (2016) tab at the top of Word. On this tab, you can:

    • In the «Arrange» panel in the top-right area, click Wrap Text to choose how to situate the picture in blocks of text. You can also set alignment preferences here. Wrapping the text is a good way to get your document formatted exactly the way you want.
    • To crop the picture, click the Crop tool in the «Size» panel at the top-right corner.
    • The «Adjust» panel near the top-left corner has additional tools for background removal, color effects, and corrections.
    • To add a border or effect around the picture, select one of the «Picture Styles» at the center of the Format bar, or choose any of the other options in the section to have more control over the style.
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  1. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 10

    1

    Click the place in your document where you’d like to insert a picture. This places the cursor at that location.

  2. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 11

    2

    Click the Insert tab. It’s at the top of Word between the «Home» and «Design» or «Home» and «Draw» tabs.

  3. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 12

    3

    Click the Pictures icon. It’s on the toolbar that runs along the top of Word. Look for an icon of a green mountain with a yellow sun between «Tables» and «Shapes.»

  4. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 13

    4

    Click Photo Browser or Picture from File. If you want to browse images in your Mac’s Photos app, use Photo Browser. To select an image file using Finder, choose Picture from File.

  5. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 14

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    Insert the picture into the document. If you’re using the Photo Browser option, simply drag the photo into your document. If you’re using Picture from File, select the image and click Insert.

  6. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 15

    6

    Resize the picture. If you want to increase or reduce the picture’s size, click the image to select it, and then do one of the following:

    • To maintain the picture’s proportions so it doesn’t stretch or warp, hold down the Shift key as you drag any of the sizing handles (the circles) inward or outward.[2]
    • To keep the image’s center in place as you resize, hold down the Option key as you drag the handles.
    • You can also specify a size. Double-click the Picture to open the Picture Format tab, then enter your desired measurements next to «Height» and «Width.»
  7. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 16

    7

    Drag the curved arrow at the top of the picture to rotate it. It’s above the dot at the top-center edge of the picture. Just place the mouse cursor over the curved arrow, and then click and drag it left or right until it’s correct.

  8. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 17

    8

    Double-click the picture to access more editing tools. This opens the «Picture Format» tab at the top of Word, which has a bunch of editing features, including the ability to remove the background and add styles.

    • Click Corrections near the top-left corner to correct lighting and color problems.
    • Click Artistic Effects to play around with filters, and Transparency to make the picture more see-through.
    • To crop the picture, click the Crop tool next to the height and width controls.
    • Click Wrap Text to choose how to situate the picture in blocks of text, and use Align and Position to ensure correct placement.
    • Click Quick Styles to choose pre-styled borders, shadows, and other options.
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  1. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 18

    1

    Click the place in your document where you’d like to insert a picture. This places the cursor at that location.

    • If it’s your first time using Office Online on the web, go to https://www.office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select Word to get started.
  2. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 19

    2

    Click Insert. This opens the Insert tab.

  3. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 20

    3

    Click Pictures. This opens a drop down options menu.

  4. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 21

    4

    Select a picture type. There are four options to choose from:

    • This Device — choose a picture on your computer
    • OneDrive — choose an image from your OneDrive
    • Stock Images — insert a stock image or sticker
    • Bing Pictures — search Bing for an image
  5. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 22

    5

    Select an image. If you choose the This Device option, you’ll be prompted to select an image from your computer. Click it to select it.

  6. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 23

    6

    Click Open. This is in the bottom right corner of the image selection window. This will confirm your selected image and insert it into the document.

  7. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 24

    7

    Resize the picture. If you want to change the picture’s size, click it once to select it, and then drag any of the corner circles in or out.

    • You can also specify the size if you want. Double-click the picture to open the Picture tab at the top, and then set your desired measurements next to «Height» and «Width.»
  8. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 25

    8

    Use the curved arrow at the top of the picture to rotate it. It’s above the dot at the top-center part of the picture. To rotate, place the mouse cursor over the curved arrow, and then click and drag the cursor left or right until you’re satisfied.

  9. Image titled Add Images to a Microsoft Word Document Step 26

    9

    Double-click the picture to access more editing tools. This opens the «Picture» tab at the top of the Word web app. On this tab, you can:

    • In the «Arrange» panel in the top-right area, click Wrap Text to choose how to situate the picture in blocks of text. You can also set alignment preferences here.
    • To crop the picture, click the Crop tool in the «Image Size» panel at the top-right corner.
    • To add a border or effect around the picture, select one of the «Picture Styles» at the center of the bar, or choose any of the other options in the section to have more control over the style.
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Add New Question

  • Question

    How do I take screenshots?

    Community Answer

    On a Mac, shift command 3 to screenshot the whole screen. If you want to take a screenshot of a certain area on the screen, press shift command 4. On a Windows PC, press control and print screen at the same time, then you can paste the image into Paint or Microsoft Word.

  • Question

    When I insert several photos on an age in a Word document, the photos often won’t stay in place. How do I stop the photos from bumping each other around?

    Community Answer

    You can right-click the image, hold the cursor over the «Wrap Text» menu option, and select an option from the list that is NOT «In Line with Text» (usually selected by default), such as «Tight» or «Behind/In Front of Text.» Then you should be able to move the image freely around the page.

  • Question

    How do I format images in a Word document?

    Community Answer

    Try double-tapping the photo. A photo format menu should come up on the right side.

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  • Adding photos to your Word document increases its size.

  • Other photo modification features available in newer versions of Microsoft Word include the ability to add borders, cutout styles, shadows, beveled edges, glows, and drop shadows.

  • When you crop a picture, the actual cropped part of the picture is hidden, not removed; unless you check the «Delete Cropped Areas of Pictures» box in the «Compression Settings» dialog box. Any compressed pictures with their cropped areas deleted cannot be restored to their original appearance.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

1. Click the place you want to insert the image.
2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Click Pictures.
4. Choose a location.
5. Select the image and click Insert.
6. Double-click the picture to open editing and format tools.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 650,203 times.

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You can quickly add visual appeal to your Microsoft Word document by adding a background color, image or texture. You can choose from a variety of colors and fill effects. Adding a colorful background image can be helpful when creating a brochure, presentation, or marketing materials.

To add a background color to your document, switch over to the “Design” tab on Word’s Ribbon, and then click the “Page Color” button. This opens a dropdown menu with a selection of colors, including Theme Colors and Standard Colors. Click a color to apply it to the background.

For even more color options, click “More Colors”.

In the Colors window that opens, click the “Custom” tab, and then click anywhere in the color prism to select a color. You can also enter RGB values in their respective fields if you’re looking for a specific color. When you’re done, click the “OK” button.

For even more options, click the “Standard” tab. Click a color from the palette, and then click the “OK” button.

How to Add a Picture to the Document Background

To add a picture to your document background, switch over to the “Design” tab on Word’s Ribbon, and then click the “Page Color” button. In the dropdown menu, click the “Fill Effects” option.

In the Fill Effects window, switch to the “Picture” tab, and then click the “Select Picture” button. The Insert Pictures window that opens lets you select an image from your local drive, via a Bing search, or from OneDrive. After making your selection, you’ll find yourself back in the Fill Effects window, where you can click the “OK” button to insert the picture background.

How to Add Texture to the Document Background

To add a texture to your document background, switch over to the “Design” tab on Word’s Ribbon, and then click the “Page Color” button. In the dropdown menu, click the “Fill Effects” option.

In the Fill Effects window, switch to the “Texture” tab, pick a texture, and then click the “OK” button.

You can also use gradients or patterns as your background by switching to either of those tabs. They work pretty much the same way as the texture tab.


If you select a dark color for you background, consider changing your text color to white or a light color so that it blends well and stands out. Adding a background color, picture, or texture to a Word document can make your document look more attractive as well as add a bit a flare.

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