Since there is no built-in feature to add a watermark to an MS Excel sheet, you might wonder how to remove one. If that is the case with a watermarked document you received, we will explain how to remove it.
In our How to Insert a Watermark article, we shared several methods of inserting a watermark, and here we will share four methods of undoing that.
4 Methods of removing a watermark from Microsoft Excel:
- Remove the header
- Delete the watermark
- Delete the background
- Remove objects
Let us begin by having a look at each of the methods individually.
Method #1: Remove the Header
If the watermark appears on all pages, then it was inserted using the Header method or as a background. If it was added as a Header, then this method will work for you. But check that there is nothing else in the headers, as this method will remove everything else too.
If you have something else on the header and you only want to remove the watermark, skip to the next method. If you have followed these steps and the header remains, then it was inserted as a background. To remove that, skip to Method #3.
Step #1: Open your existing MS Excel workbook
Open your MS Excel workbook containing the watermark to be removed.
In our example workbook, we’ve used the word DRAFT as a watermark.
Step #2: Select Headers & Footers
From the main menu bar, click on the Insert tab.
Under the Insert tab, select the Header & Footer icon.
The Header & Footer ribbon will open, and three boxes will appear at the top of your sheet.
Step #4: Click on the Header drop-down and select (none)
In the Header & Footer ribbon, in the top corner, click on the Header icon (1 in the image below).
A dropdown menu will appear.
Select (none) from the options on the menu.
The dropdown menu will close automatically, and when you look at your sheet, you’ll see that the watermark has been removed.
Method #2: Delete the Watermark
Use this method to remove the watermark when you have other headers in the Excel sheet, and want to keep them in place.
Step #1: Open your existing MS Excel workbook
Open your MS Excel workbook containing the watermark to be removed.
In our example workbook, we have an image as a watermark.
Step #2: Change the view
From the main menu bar, click on the View tab.
From the View ribbon, select the Page Layout icon.
This will change how your spreadsheet is displayed on your screen.
(If nothing changes, then you are already on the Page Layout view setting.)
Step #3: Double-click on the header box
Hover over the Add Header area of the Excel sheet.
If the words Add Header does not show, hover over the white space above the first row.
You’ll be able to see the three header boxes.
Click on each of the boxes to find the box that contains &[Picture].
In our example worksheet, it’s the middle box.
Step #3: Tap the Delete key
Now, tap the Delete key on your keyboard to delete &[Picture].
If you have a word instead of an image, such as DRAFT, delete it.
This will remove the watermark from your MS Excel worksheet.
Method #3: Delete the Background
This method will work if the watermark has been added as a Background feature. Yet, this is not very common because the background doesn’t get printed. So, watermarking using the Background option is only done in cases where the sheets are not to be printed.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open your MS Excel workbook containing the watermark to be removed.
In our example workbook, there is an image as a watermark.
Step #2: Go to Page Layout and select Delete Background
Click on the Page Layout tab in the main menu bar.
Select the Delete Background option.
You can now see that the background has been removed.
Method #4: Remove Objects
If the watermark only appears on one sheet, that means it was added as WordArt. This method will remove it.
Step #1: Open your Excel workbook
Open your MS Excel workbook containing the watermark to be removed.
In our example workbook, we’ve used the word CONFIDENTIAL as a watermark.
Step #2: Find and Go To Special
From the main menu bar, click on the Home tab.
From the Home ribbon, select the Find & Select icon on the right.
Click on the Find & Select icon for the drop-down to open.
Select the Go To Special… option.
Step #4: Select the Objects option
The Go To Special dialog box will open.
Select the Objects radio button.
Click the OK button.
This will select all the Objects in your Excel workbook, i.e., the WordArt will be selected.
Step #5: Delete
With the WordArt object selected, hit the Delete key on your keyboard.
Your watermark will be removed.
Conclusion
Being given a spreadsheet with a watermark that you have to remove should not be tricky. Once you have determined how it has been added, you can select the right method to remove it.
As a header – Methods #1 or #2
As a background – Method #3
As WordArt – Method #4
You can also read our article ‘How to Insert a Watermark in an MS Excel Sheet’ to understand the ins-and-outs of watermarks.