Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Add Background Images to Tables in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

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This tutorial shows how to add background images to tables in Microsoft Word. We will also look at how to change the image transparency to make the tables easier to read.

Table of Contents:

Please note that Word doesn’t offer a direct way to add background images to tables. So, the process shown here is a work-around using Word’s image tools.

These steps assume that you have already created your table. For a full tutorial, please see “Three Ways to Insert Tables in Microsoft Word.”

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The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac (a.k.a., Word for Mac). In addition, they will be similar in Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016.

How to Add Background Images to Tables

  1. Place your cursor near the table (but not inside the table).
Cursor near table in Word 365
Figure 1. Cursor near table
  1. Select the Insert tab.
Insert tab in Word 365
Figure 2. Insert tab
  1. Select Pictures in the Illustrations group.
Pictures button in the Inert tab in Word 365
Figure 3. Pictures button
  1. Select This Device, Stock Images, or Online Pictures from the Insert Picture From menu. (This is the location of the picture you want to use.)

Note that the Stock Images option is only available in Word for Microsoft 365.

Insert Picture From menu in Word 365
Figure 4. Insert Picture From menu
  1. Locate the image and then select the Insert button. (Figure 5, below, features the Stock Images option.)
Stock Images dialog box Insert Button in Word 365
Figure 5. Insert button

The image will be inserted into your document and the Picture Format tab will open automatically.

Picture Format tab in Word 365
Figure 6. Picture Format tab

Select Wrap Text in the Arrange group.

Wrap Text button in the Picture Format tab in Word 365
Figure 7. Wrap Text button
  1. Select Behind Text from the drop-down menu.
Behind Text option in the Wrap Text menu in Word 365
Figure 8. Behind Text option

Alternative Step: Use the Layout Options Shortcut Menu

PC users can also access the Behind Text option from the Layout Option shortcut menu on the right side of the image.

Behind Text option in the Layout Options shortcut menu in Word 365
Figure 9. Behind Text option in the Layout Options shortcut menu
  1. Use the resizing handles to drag and resize the image so that it is directly behind the table.
Image resizing handles in Word 365
Figure 10. Image resizing handles

If the image makes the table difficult to read, reduce the image transparency as shown in the following section.

How to Change the Transparency of Images behind Tables

  1. Select the Layout tab.
Layout tab in Word 365
Figure 11. Layout tab
  1. Select Selection Pane in the Arrange group.
Selection Pane button in the Layout tab in Word 365
Figure 12. Selection Pane button
  1. Select the image in the Selection Pane. (This will move the image in front of the table.)
Selection Pane with image selected in Word 365
Figure 13. Selected image in Selection Pane
  1. Select the Picture Format tab.
Picture Format tab in Word 365
Figure 14. Picture Format tab
  1. Select Transparency in the Adjust group.
Transparency button in the Picture Format tab in Word 365
Figure 15. Transparency button
  1. Select a transparency level from the drop-down menu. (Alternatively, select Picture Transparency Options to access a sliding transparency scale.)
Transparency menu in the Picture Format tab in Word 365
Figure 16. Transparency menu
  1. Click your mouse outside the table to deselect the image.
  2. Select the X to close the Selection Pane.
Closing X in the Selection Pane in Word 365
Figure 17. Closing X

The table should now be back on top of the image, and you can edit the table as you normally would.

Table with background image in Word 365
Figure 18. Table with background image

Are you working with charts in addition to tables? Please see “How to Add Background Images to Charts in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac).”

Related Resources

How to Insert and Modify Images in Microsoft Word

How to Save Tables and Figures as Images in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Save Tables as Templates in Microsoft Word

Updated November 27, 2022