Background word

[Guest]

In Office 97 Word, is there a way to apply a background
such as "DRAFT" across the main text, similar to what a
printer can do ?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Yes, see Word's Help under "Create a watermark" or "HOW TO: Create a
Watermark in Microsoft Word 2000" at
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211324 (there isn't a corresponding
article for Word 97, but most of the content of this will be applicable).

 

[Guest]

Thanks ever so much Suzanne; I spent hours going through
every possible combination today, but didn't realizt that
it was called a watermark.
It looks a little complicated for the uninitiated, but at
least it's doable. Thanks again.
Dan

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Not that hard. Just open the header (View | Header and Footer) and create a
WordArt object set to Behind Text. As long as it's anchored to the header
paragraph, it can be anywhere on the page, and it will repeat on every page.
The trick with WordArt is to get the right washed-out fill; for graphics
there's a Washout/Watermark color setting that does this automatically.
Also, note that some printers have the option of adding a watermark at print
time, but this is a printer Properties setting and will affect every
document printed while it is selected.

 

[Dapper Dan]

Forgive me Suzanne, but to this two finger typer, it is complicated !
I managed to actually get the word DRAFT inserted as a background on a
page but for the life of me I can't get it to anchor to the header
paragraph, and unless I can do that, I'll have to do it manually on
each sheet (I'm working on a 30 page set of bylaws for a club) and it
will look sloppy because it may not be in the same place on each
sheet.
I know you have more important things to do than hold my hand through
this one, but I certainly would appreciate it.
Thanks again.
Dan

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

You must create the WordArt object while the insertion point is in the
header pane (View | Header and Footer). Then it will automatically be
anchored to the header paragraph.

 

[Dapper Dan]

Suzanne, I'm not a stupid person, but this is simply not working and I
wonder if it's because I'm in Office 97?
If I may, I'll try one last time, otherwise I'll proceed manually.
Here's how I am doing (trying) it;
View/Header and Footer (when it opens, the cursor is in a box that
says "first page header").
I then select Insert/Picture/WordArt (select style/type-in the actual
word & select size). The problem is that the word that is the
"Watermark", is no longer in the header box. I try the drag procedure
and although I can move the perimeter/border of the watermark word
into the area of the header box, it is not part of the header.
Can you tell what it is I'm doing wrong.
Thanks again,
Dan

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

No, you want it not to be in the header area; you want it in the middle of
the page. If you have object anchors displayed, when you click on the
WordArt object, you will see an anchor next to the pilcrow (¶) that
indicates the header paragraph (if you have nonprinting characters
displayed). This shows that the object is anchored to the header paragraph
and is therefore part of the header (it will never be part of the header
text because it is in the drawing layer and not the text layer).

The test will be that when you close the header, you will no longer be able
to select the WordArt object. Also, if you insert a page break (Ctrl+Enter),
you'll see the watermark on the next page as well (assuming you've anchored
it to the Header and not a First Page Header, in which case you'll have to
copy/paste it into the Header as well).

You might want to read http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/DrwGrphcs/DrawLayer.htm

 

[Dapper Dan]

Thanks again Suzanne; I have just developed an new appreciation for
what secretaries must go through on a daily basis!!!!
The problem (other than me) appears to have been that my "header &
footer" was set to first page. Once I changed that, it appears to have
solved my problem.
I appreciate your patience.

Dan

 

[Dapper Dan]

Thanks again Suzanne; I have just developed an new appreciation for
what secretaries must go through on a daily basis!!!!
The problem (other than me) appears to have been that my "header &
footer" was set to first page. Once I changed that, it appears to have
solved my problem.
I appreciate your patience.

Dan