How you remove a watermark in Excel 2013 depends on how it was added, because Excel doesn’t have a dedicated watermark feature. Most watermarks are a picture in the header: click View > Page Layout, click in the header area, and delete the &[Picture] code. If the image repeats behind your cells on screen, it’s a sheet background: click Page Layout > Delete Background. If it’s a WordArt or shape, click it and press Delete.
Here’s how to identify and remove each type. These steps also work in Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365.
Which kind of watermark do you have?
| What you see | Type | How to remove |
|---|---|---|
| Only in Page Layout view and when printing | Header or footer picture | Delete &[Picture] from the header |
| Repeated image behind cells in Normal view, but doesn’t print | Sheet background | Page Layout > Delete Background |
| A text box or image you can click and move | WordArt or shape | Select it and press Delete |
Remove a watermark from the header
- Click View > Page Layout.
- Click in the header area at the top of the page (left, center, or right section).
- Select the text &[Picture] and press Delete.
- Click anywhere in the sheet, then switch back to View > Normal.
Check the footer too. Watermarks are sometimes placed there, especially on large images.
Remove a sheet background
- Click the Page Layout tab.
- Click Delete Background in the Page Setup group.
Remove a WordArt or shape watermark
- Click the watermark text or image to select it. If it’s hard to click, go to Home > Find & Select > Selection Pane to see all objects.
- Press Delete.
Remove watermarks from every sheet
Headers and backgrounds are set per sheet. Hold Ctrl and click each sheet tab to group them, then remove the header picture. Right-click a tab and choose Ungroup Sheets when you’re done.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I see the watermark in Normal view?
Header pictures only appear in Page Layout view, Print Preview, and printouts.
Why does the watermark still print?
It’s probably in the header or footer. Check both in Page Layout view.
Can I remove a watermark from a protected sheet?
You’ll need to unprotect it first with Review > Unprotect Sheet, which may require the password.
How do I add a watermark back later?
Click in the header in Page Layout view, then Header & Footer > Picture, and choose an image.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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