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How to Remove Draft Watermark in Word (2 Easy Ways)

November 15, 2023 5.0K views

Embark on a journey to eliminate draft watermarks in Word with our comprehensive guide. Throughout this article, we'll not only address the "how" but also share insights and tips based on practical experiences. Let's make your Word documents watermark-free!

Part 1: Can I Remove Draft Watermarks in Word?

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Yes, absolutely. Removing draft watermarks in Word is not only possible but quite straightforward. The methods outlined here are not limited to just draft watermarks; they are equally effective for various other types of watermarks such as CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE, and DO NOT COPY.

Part 2: How to Remove a Draft Watermark in Word via Design Menu (Basically applicable to all situations)

Step 1: Open the Design Menu

Design tab



Begin by launching Microsoft Word and opening the document containing the draft watermark. Locate the "Design" tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

Step 2: Navigate to Watermark Options

Under the "Design" tab, look for the "Watermark" option. Click on it to reveal a drop-down menu. From the menu, select "Watermark Options."

Select watermark



Step 3: Choose 'No Watermark'

In the "Watermark Options" window, you'll find various watermark choices. Boldly select "No Watermark" to remove the existing draft watermark from your document.

Choose remove watermark



Step 4: Confirm Changes

After selecting "No Watermark," ensure you confirm or apply the changes. This may involve clicking an "Apply" or "OK" button, depending on your Word version.

This method is the easiest and most straightforward way to remove a draft watermark in Word. It is applicable to all versions of Word and to all types of watermarks.

Note: If the draft watermark is embedded in the document, you will need to use a third-party tool to remove it.

Part 3: How to Remove a Draft Watermark by using the Header and Footer

Removing watermarks in Microsoft Word can be done using various methods, particularly by utilizing the Header and Footer options. Here's a guide on how to remove watermarks based on different scenarios:

How to remove all watermarks

To remove watermarks from your entire document, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your Microsoft Word document.

Step 2: Navigate to the "Design" tab.

design tab



Step 3: Look for the "Watermark" option in the "Page Background" group.

Select Watermark



Step 4: Click on "Watermark," and a drop-down menu will appear.

Step 5: Select "Remove Watermark" at the bottom of the menu.

Remove



This process will remove watermarks from all pages in your document.

I have used this technique to remove watermarks from entire documents. It is very straightforward and only takes a few clicks.

How to remove the watermark of the first page

If you want to keep watermarks on most pages but remove it from the first page, you can customize the Header and Footer for the first page:

Step 1: Double-click the header or footer area of the first page.

Step 2: Go to the "Design" tab.

Design tab



Step 3: Check the box that says "Different First Page" in the "Options" group.

Different First Page



Step 4: Now, go to the first page's header or footer, where you'll find the watermark.

Step 5: Delete or modify the watermark as needed.

This way, the watermark will only be removed from the first page.

I have used this technique to remove watermarks from the first page of documents. It is also very straightforward and only takes a few clicks.

How to remove watermark from certain pages in Microsoft Word

For removing watermarks selectively from specific pages, you can use section breaks:

Step 1: Place your cursor at the beginning of the page where you want to start without a watermark.

Step 2: Go to the "Layout" tab.

Layout tab



Step 3: Click "Breaks" in the "Page Setup" group.

Click Break



Step 4: Choose "Next Page" under "Section Breaks."

Select next page



Step 5: Double-click the header or footer of the new section.

Step 6: Repeat the steps from method 1 to remove the watermark for this section.

By applying section breaks, you can control where the watermark appears in your document.

I have used this technique to remove watermarks from specific pages in documents. It is a bit more involved than the other two techniques, but it is still relatively easy to do.

Overall, I have found the techniques described in Part 3 to be effective and easy to use. I would recommend them to anyone who needs to remove watermarks from their Microsoft Word documents.


Compare the each methods

Method

Advantages

Disadvantages

Removing all watermarks

Simplest and easiest method

Only takes a few clicks

Removing the watermark of the first page

Can remove watermarks from the first page of documents

More detailed and comprehensive than Method 1

Removing watermark from certain pages in Microsoft Word

Can remove watermarks from specific pages in documents

Most detailed and comprehensive method

Method 1 is the simplest and easiest method to remove watermarks, but it is only effective for removing watermarks from entire documents. Method 2 is more detailed and comprehensive than Method 1, and it allows you to remove watermarks from the first page of documents. Method 3 is the most detailed and comprehensive method, and it allows you to remove watermarks from specific pages in documents.

Part 4 Better watermark removal tools—WPS Office

WPS Office logo



When it comes to removing watermarks not just from Word documents but also from PDFs, WPS Office stands out as a versatile and free alternative. WPS Office provides a user-friendly solution that caters to various document editing needs, and watermark removal is no exception.

1. Removing Word and PDF Watermarks:

WPS Office simplifies the process of removing watermarks from both Word and PDF files. Whether your document is in the familiar .docx format or in the portable and widely used PDF format, WPS Office ensures that unwanted watermarks can be easily eliminated.

2. Free and Accessible:

One significant advantage of using WPS Office is that it's entirely free. This makes it an attractive option for users seeking efficient watermark removal without the need for a premium subscription or one-time purchase.

To download WPS Office, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the WPS Office website: https://www.wps.com/

Step 2: Click on the Free Download button.

Download WPS



Step 3: Select your operating system and click on the Download button.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office.

WPS installing



WPS Office is a powerful and versatile office suite that can be used to remove watermarks from Word and PDF documents. It is a good choice for users who are looking for a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office.

Here are some of the advantages of using WPS Office to remove watermarks:

  • It is free and open-source.

  • It is compatible with Microsoft Office.

  • It can remove watermarks from both Word and PDF documents.

  • It is easy to use.

Here are some of the disadvantages of using WPS Office to remove watermarks:

  • It is not as well-known as Microsoft Office.

  • It may not have all of the features of Microsoft Office.

  • It may not be compatible with all third-party add-ins.

Overall, WPS Office is a good choice for users who are looking for a free and open-source office suite that can remove watermarks from Word and PDF documents.

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FAQs

1. How should I do if I can’t remove the draft watermark after all this ?

If you're unable to remove a draft watermark in Microsoft Word, try these quick steps:

  1. Check Sections: Ensure there are no section breaks causing the issue.

  2. Unlink Headers/Footers: Make sure headers and footers aren't linked to the previous section.

  3. Remove Protection: Check for document protection in the "Review" tab and remove any restrictions.

  4. Update Office: Ensure your Microsoft Office is up to date.

If the problem persists, try copying content to a new document or consider using alternative tools like WPS Office. If all else fails, contact Microsoft Support for assistance.

Why can't I remove the watermark?

If you can't remove a watermark in Word:

  1. Check Sections: Look for section breaks in your document.

  2. Header/Footer Linking: Ensure headers/footers aren't linked to the previous section.

  3. Document Protection: Remove any editing restrictions in the "Review" tab.

  4. Compatibility Mode: Save the document in the latest Word format (.docx).

  5. Disable Add-ins: Turn off third-party add-ins that might interfere.

  6. Document Copy: Copy content to a new document to eliminate corruption.

  7. Try Another Viewer: Open the document in a different word processor.

  8. Update/Repair Office: Ensure Microsoft Office is updated or repair it through the Control Panel.

If issues persist, consider using alternative tools or contact Microsoft Support.

Summary

This guide walks you through two easy ways to remove draft watermarks in Word. While explaining methods using the Design menu and Header/Footer, the focus is on the efficiency of WPS Office. WPS Office not only handles Word watermarks but also deals with PDF watermarks for free. The article emphasizes the simplicity and versatility of WPS Office, making it a top choice for users looking to remove watermarks effortlessly.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.