How to Add a Watermark to Text on an Excel Spreadsheet

Add a watermark to your Excel spreadsheets.

Microsoft Excel is a component of Microsoft Office. It allows you to enter data, create spreadsheets and charts, track trends and organize information. One thing you may want to add to your Excel spreadsheet is a watermark. A watermark is a transparent image or text that covers a large area of your spreadsheet. Excel's help section says "watermark functionality" is not available in Excel, but you can use one of two ways to create something identical to a watermark.

Instructions

Header or Footer Watermark

1. Create a picture that you want to use as a watermark in a drawing program. You can also find a piece of clipart you might want to use instead. Save the image.

2. Open Excel and open the worksheet where you want to add the watermark. Ensure only one worksheet is selected.

3. Click on the "Insert" tab and then choose "Header & Footer" from the "Text" options.

4. Select the left, center or right header box by clicking the box you want.

5. Choose "Picture" from the "Header & Footer elements" option under "Header & Footer Tools" which is found on the "Design" tab.

6. Find the picture you saved and double click the picture to insert it onto the spreadsheet.

7. Adjust the size of your picture by going to "Format Picture" from the "Header & Footer elements" group and setting the scale you want under the "Size" tab.

WordArt Watermark

1. Open Excel and the worksheet where you want to insert the watermark. Click the location where you want the watermark.

2. Go to the "Insert" tab and choose "WordArt" from the "Text" options.

3. Choose the "WordArt" style that you want to use for your watermark from the images shown. Type the text you want to use for the watermark in the text box that appears.

4. Click on the WordArt image, then choose "Size" from the "Format" tab and go to "Shape Height" and "Shape Width" to adjust the size of your WordArt.

5. Right-click the WordArt and choose "Format Shape". Go to "Fill" and then "Solid Fill" and drag the "Transparency" slider to the level of transparency you want for your watermark. You can also rotate the WordArt by going to the "Format" tab, "Arrange" and then "Rotate." Go to "More Rotate Options," "Size," "Size and rotate" and enter the degree of rotation you want. Close the box when you're done.

Tips & Warnings

• Adding a watermark with the header or footer option displays the watermark on every page. Using the WordArt option only displays it on the text area where you inserted the watermark.

References

• Microsoft Office: Add or remove a sheet background, Mimic a Watermark
• Educationworld.com: Make a Watermark with Excel
• PC Mag: Print a Watermark on Excel Worksheet