How to Add / Insert a Watermark in Excel

Written by

Editorial Team

Reviewed by

Laura Tsitlidze

Last updated on August 24, 2023

This tutorial demonstrates how to add a watermark in Excel.

add insert watermark 12

Add an Image as Watermark

There are several ways to secure your spreadsheets in digital form, but when it comes to printing them on paper, the best way to mark them for version control is to add a watermark. In Excel, there is no built-in watermark feature, but you can use a workaround and insert it as a picture.

  1. In the Ribbon, go to View > Workbook Views > Page Layout.

add insert watermark 1

  1. Click in one of the three boxes in the header where you want to place your watermark (here, the second box because you want the watermark in the center of the spreadsheet).
    Then, in the Ribbon, go to Design > Picture.

add insert watermark 2

  1. This brings up the Insert Pictures window. Choose the location of the watermark image file (here, From a file).

add insert watermark 3

  1. Select the image you want and click Insert.

add insert watermark 4

As a result, the picture is added to the header box.

add insert watermark 5

  1. Adjust the watermark’s placement by pressing ENTER to lower the position of the picture. To see the watermark on the spreadsheet, just click any cell in the worksheet.

add insert watermark 6

Modify the Image

To make your picture look more like a watermark, make some edits.

  1. If the picture is too large, or too small, for the spreadsheet, resize it to fit. In the Ribbon, go to Design > Format Picture.

add insert watermark 7

  1. This brings up the Format Picture dialog box. On the Size tab, under Size and rotate, choose measurements that work for your sheet.

add insert watermark 8

  1. In the same Format Picture dialog box, you can adjust the transparency of the picture.
    On the Picture tab, under Image control, change the Color to Washout. Press OK to apply and return to the worksheet.

add insert watermark 9

As a result, the picture is now appears as a watermark in Excel.

add insert watermark 10

Add a WordArt Watermark

Another way to add a watermark to your spreadsheet is to insert a WordArt object, but you can only use this option for text-based watermarks.

  1. First, in the Ribbon, go to Insert > Text > WordArt.

add insert watermark 13

  1. This inserts a text box into your spreadsheet. Type in your text.

add insert watermark 14

  1. To format your text and make it look like a watermark, in the Ribbon go to Format > WordArt Styles. Click on the Format Text Effects: Text Box icon (arrow in the bottom-right corner).

add insert watermark 15

  1. This brings up the Format Shape task pane on the right side of the workbook. To make the text more transparent, go to Text Options, then click the Text fill and outline icon. Under Color, set the Transparency percent value.

add insert watermark 16

  1. To change the dimensions of the text box, in the Ribbon go to Format > Size, and click on the Size and Properties icon (arrow in the bottom right corner).

add insert watermark 17

  1. For precise dimensions, in the Format Shape task pane, click on Shape Options, then click on the Size and Properties icon. Under Size, enter the dimensions you need.

add insert watermark 18

Alternatively, resize the text box directly with the resize handle.

add insert watermark 20

  1. To make the text bigger, select it and right-click. In the Font Size box, choose or type in a larger value.

add insert watermark 19

  1. To change the text orientation, use the rotation handle.

add insert watermark 20

As a result, you have a watermark added to your spreadsheet with the size, transparency, and orientation you need. Later, if you no longer need the watermark, see how to clear it.

add insert watermark 21

Tip: You can’t add a watermark in Google Sheets, but you can insert a logo to act similarly.

AI Formula Generator

Try for Free

See all How-To Articles