Watermark on Excel File

How to Add a Watermark in Excel

Step 1: Go to the “Insert” tab

• Open your Excel workbook.

• Click on the Insert tab on the Ribbon at the top.

Step 2: Open the Header & Footer tools

• In the Text group, click Text, then choose Header & Footer.

Step 3: Choose where to place the watermark

• Your worksheet will switch to Page Layout view.

• You’ll see a header area divided into three sections (Left, Center, Right).

• Click inside the center section (or your preferred section).

Step 4: Insert a Picture (your watermark)

• With the section selected, go to the Header & Footer tab (which appears automatically).

• Click Picture (in the Header & Footer Elements group).

• Choose to upload from:

• This Device

• Stock Images

• Online Pictures

• Select your watermark image (e.g., a company logo or a faded “DRAFT” image).

Step 5: Confirm insertion

• Excel inserts a code that looks like &[Picture] in the header.

• Click anywhere outside the header, and the image will appear as a watermark behind the cells.

Step 6: Adjust the watermark if needed

• Unfortunately, Excel doesn’t let you resize or move watermarks directly in the header.

• If the watermark is too big or in the wrong spot:

• Resize the image in an image editor (e.g., Paint or Photoshop) before inserting it.

• Or use WordArt or Text Box (see alternate method below).

Alternate Method: Using WordArt or Text Box for Text-Based Watermark

If you want a text watermark (like “CONFIDENTIAL” or “DRAFT”):

1. Go to Insert > WordArt or Insert > Text Box.

2. Type your watermark text.

3. Format it:

• Right-click and choose Format Shape.

• Set Transparency and adjust the color to gray.

• Rotate it diagonally for a classic watermark look.

4. Move it to where you want it on the sheet.

5. Send it to back if it’s covering content: Right-click > Send to Back.

Note: These won’t appear in normal view but will appear in Page Layout and when printed or exported as PDF.