Alex Ruben
Effortlessly Remove or Change Image Backgrounds in MS Word
Removing or changing the background of an image in Microsoft Word is a quick and powerful way to enhance your documents. Whether you want to create a clean design, replace an unwanted background, or make parts of an image transparent, this step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the entire process without needing any additional software. By the end of this guide, you’ll have mastered the tools necessary for effective image editing within Word.
Before you start, ensure you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer. These instructions are applicable for MS Word versions from 2010 onwards, with slight variations across versions. No additional downloads or external tools are necessary.
Step 1: Open Your Image in Microsoft Word
To begin, open Microsoft Word and insert the image whose background you want to remove or change. You can do this by clicking on Insert in the menu bar, selecting Pictures, and then choosing the image from your files. Once the image is inserted, double-click on it to activate the Picture Tools format options.
Step 2: Remove the Background
With the image selected, navigate to the Picture Format tab that appears. Click on Remove Background. Word will automatically highlight areas to be removed. The pink overlay indicates the areas that will be deleted.
Adjust the selection by using the Mark Areas to Keep and Mark Areas to Remove tools. Click and drag over the areas you want to keep or remove until the selection is accurate. Once satisfied, click on Keep Changes to finalize your edits.
Step 3: Adding a New Background
If you wish to replace the removed background with another image, first insert the new background image using the same method as before. After inserting, right-click on the main image and select Wrap Text, then choose In Front of Text. This will allow you to position the main image over the new background freely.
Step 4: Adjusting Image Size and Position
Once the images are layered correctly, you can resize and reposition them as needed. Click on the corner handles of the main image to maintain its proportions while resizing. Drag the image to your desired location over the new background.
Step 5: Grouping Images Together
If you want to keep the images together, select both the main image and the background image by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking each image. Right-click and select Group to combine them into a single object. This makes it easier to move them as one unit.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are a few additional tips to enhance your experience:
- If parts of the image you want to keep are accidentally removed, use the Undo option by pressing Ctrl + Z or utilize the Mark Areas to Keep tool to refine your selection.
- For better results, ensure your image has good contrast against the background before attempting to remove it.
- If your grouped image appears behind the background, right-click on it and select Send to Back to adjust its layering.
Conclusion
With these steps, you can easily remove or change the backgrounds of images in Microsoft Word, enhancing your document’s visual appeal. Mastering this feature allows for greater creativity and presentation in your work. If you want to further explore Microsoft Word’s capabilities, consider looking into additional resources on image editing techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any type of image in Word?
Yes, you can use JPEG, PNG, and other common image formats. However, images with clear distinctions between the subject and background yield better results when removing backgrounds.
What if the background removal tool doesn’t work as expected?
Sometimes, the automatic selection may not be perfect. In such cases, manually mark the areas you wish to keep or remove to achieve a better result.
Is it possible to change the background color instead of using an image?
Yes, you can change the background color by right-clicking on the image, selecting Format Picture, and adjusting the fill options in the format pane.