Frequently Asked Question

Formatting Page Background and Borders
Last Updated 10 years ago

Normally, the background of a Word document in Office 2011 for Mac is white, but you can change the background color — and even apply document theme colors to it. You have to use Print Layout view in Word 2011 for Mac for this to work, so if you’re not already in Print Layout view, click the Print Layout view button at the lower-left corner of the document window to switch to it.
When you modify the background in Print Layout view, Word 2011 for Mac can convert it into Notebook Layout view and Publishing Layout view. Three formatting tools are in the Page Background group of the Ribbon’s Layout tab:
  • Color: Click to display the color palette. Color formats the background layer that's furthest to the back.
  • Watermark: Above the background layer but still behind the text layer is a layer that you can use if you want to add a watermark. You can choose from two watermark types, Picture and Text.
  • Borders: Displays the Page Border tab of the Borders and Shadings dialog. This dialog is a creative person's playground for customizing borders.
    • Setting: Choose from None, Box, Shadow, 3-D, or Custom.
    • Custom: Use the Interactive Preview to choose which edge(s) to apply or remove a border.
    • Style: Choose a line style for your border.
    • Color: Choose a color for your border.
    • Width: Specify a width for your border.
    • Art: Choose from an enormous variety of artwork.
    • Apply To: Choose Whole Document or a section option.
    • Options: Displays the Border and Shading options dialog that lets you adjust margin and placement of your border.
    • Horizontal Line: Displays an Open dialog that lets you choose a picture of a line to use as your border's line style.

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