How to Add a Gradient Background to a Document in Word 2003

With a few clicks you can add a gradient background to a document in Word 2003 and change boring black and white into vivid color. Gradient backgrounds mix one color into another as the effect is applied to the page. The result is a striking addition to your document.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Word 2003
• Computer

1. Open a Word 2003 document, and then select the "Format" menu from the top toolbar.
2. Select "Background" to summon a pane of choices. Move your pointer underneath the color selections to "Fill Effects." Click to bring up the "Fill Effects" box.
3. Click on the appropriate check box in the "Colors" section. Use the control bar to pull down a pane of colors to choose from, or you can customize a color.
4. Pull the control bar slider from side to side to adjust the color fade of the gradient background. Pulling the slider toward "Dark" will shade a color towards black, while moving the slider toward "Light" will tint the color towards white.
5. Choose a shading style to apply to the gradient background. The horizontal shading style might start dark on the top edge of the document and then fade to the selected color as it nears the bottom.
6. Pick a variant. This changes the shading's starting point. For example, one variant of the horizontal shading styles starts with a horizontal band of darker color at the middle of the page, and then lightens to the selected color toward the top and bottom of the document.
7. Click the "OK" button to apply your gradient background to a Word 2003 document. Pull down "Edit" and select "Undo Fill Effects" to change the background. Save your changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Selecting the "Two colors" option allows you to fade into a color you choose, rather than just black or white.
• Preset gradient backgrounds range from the deep blues and purples of "Nightfall" to the subtle tones of "Gold."
• You might change the font color when you add a gradient background to a Word document so that the background does not obscure the text.

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