How to remove watermarks

Question

I want to remove watermarks from the pages of a manuscript.

Answer 1

In Word, watermarks are part of the header area. Removing them depends on how they were added and whether the document has multiple sections.

To remove a watermark in newer Word versions on Windows:

1. Go to the Design tab on the ribbon.
2. Select Watermark.
3. Click Remove Watermark.

If the watermark remains on some or all pages, remove it directly from the header:

1. Double-click near the top of a page that still shows the watermark to open the header area.
2. Move the pointer over the watermark until a 4‑way arrow appears.
3. Click to select the watermark.
4. Press Delete on the keyboard.
5. Repeat this for any other pages that still show a watermark. In documents with multiple sections, each section header can have its own watermark, so each section’s header may need to be edited.

On newer Word versions for Mac:

1. Go to Design > Watermark.
2. In the Insert Watermark box, choose No watermark.
3. If any watermark remains, double‑click the top of a page to open the header, click the watermark, and press Delete. Repeat for each section that still shows a watermark.

If the watermark still appears only on certain pages after using Remove Watermark, it is likely stored in headers of specific sections that are not linked to the first section; those headers must be edited individually as described above.

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References:

• Remove a watermark
• Remove watermark from all pages of a document. When I press remove watermark it only takes it off the first page - Microsoft Q&A