Removing an Image Background in Microsoft Word

Word shares the same Remove Background tool as PowerPoint. It's fine for a logo on a white box, and painful for a photo of a person.

The built-in method

1. Click the image.
2. Open Picture Format and choose Remove Background.
3. Correct the magenta areas with Mark Areas to Keep / Remove.
4. Click Keep Changes.

The cleaner method

For photos, especially of people and pets, remove the background first:

1. Use our image background remover.
2. Download the transparent PNG.
3. In Word, Insert → Pictures and choose it.
4. Set Wrap Text to In Front of Text or Tight so text flows around the subject, not around an invisible rectangle.

That last step is the secret to the magazine-style layouts where text hugs the outline of a photo.

Common uses in Word documents

• Headshots on CVs and proposals
• Product images in quotes and catalogues
• Signatures on letters (see our guide to transparent signatures)
• Logos in headers and footers

FAQ

Why does text wrap around a box instead of my cut-out?

Choose Tight wrapping, then Edit Wrap Points if needed. Word uses the transparent outline once the image is a PNG with real transparency.

Will the background stay transparent in a PDF?

Yes, when you save or export the document as PDF.