How to Add a Background to Google Docs

Google Docs backgrounds are page-level, not document-level

When you add a background to a Google Doc, you are changing the color or image behind the text on your screen — not creating a watermark or changing what prints. The background appears only in the editor view and in PDFs you read; it does not show up in printed copies or shared versions unless the person viewing also has the same background setting.

This matters for privacy because background images are stored locally on your device, not synced to Google's servers. If you upload an image as a background, Google Docs does not keep a copy of that image in your account. The setting itself (which background you chose) is saved to your Google account, but the actual file stays on your computer.

Key Takeaways

Background colors and images are stored on your device, not uploaded to Google unless you choose to use an image from Google Drive or the web.
You can set a background using the Page Setup menu, which is found under File in the menu bar.
If you upload a personal image as a background, that image file remains on your device and is not sent to Google servers.
Backgrounds appear only to you in the editor and in PDFs you read — they do not print or appear to collaborators unless they set the same background themselves.

How to add a solid color background

Open the Google Doc you want to change. Click File in the menu bar at the top left, then select Page setup. A small window will open with options for page size, orientation, and margins.

At the bottom of the Page Setup window, you will see a section labeled Page color. Click the colored square next to it. A color picker will appear. You can click any color in the palette, or click the plus sign to enter a custom color code if you know the hex value. Once you have chosen your color, click OK at the bottom of the Page Setup window to explore it.

How to add an image as a background

Follow the same steps: File > Page setup. In the Page Setup window, look for the Page color section. Instead of clicking the colored square, click the image icon next to it (it looks like a small picture frame).

You will see three options: Upload from computer, Search the web, or Google Drive. If you choose Upload from computer, you are selecting an image file that already exists on your device. Google Docs will read that file and use it as your background, but the file itself stays on your computer. If you choose Google Drive or Search the web, Google will fetch the image from those sources each time you open the document.

Select your image, then click OK. The image will now appear behind your text whenever you open that document.

What happens to your background when you share the document

If you share a Google Doc with collaborators, they will not see your background unless they set the same one themselves. Each person's background is a personal preference stored in their own account settings, not part of the document itself. This means you can have a bright purple background while your collaborator sees white, and neither of you is changing what the other person sees.

If you want everyone viewing the document to see the same visual design, you should use page colors or images that are part of the document content itself — such as a colored text box or an image inserted into the document body. Those will appear the same way for everyone.

Privacy considerations when choosing background images

If you upload an image from your computer as a background, that image file does not leave your device. Google Docs does not store a copy on its servers, and Google does not scan or analyze the image. The only information Google stores is that you have set a background for that particular document.

If you use Search the web to find a background image, Google will fetch that image from the web each time you open your document. This means Google's servers will see a request for that image URL, and the website hosting the image will see a request coming from your device. If privacy is a concern, uploading an image from your computer is the more private option.

If you choose an image from Google Drive, that image is already stored in your Google account, so there is no additional privacy impact beyond what you have already accepted by using Google Drive.

Removing or changing a background

To remove a background entirely, go back to File > Page setup. In the Page color section, click the colored square or image icon. At the top of the color picker, you will see a white square with a line through it — this is the "no color" option. Click it, then click OK.

To change your background to a different color or image, follow the same process you used to add it the first time. The new background will replace the old one when ready.

Why backgrounds do not appear in printed or exported documents

Google Docs treats backgrounds as a display preference, not as part of the document content. When you print a Google Doc, the background does not print by default. When you read the document as a PDF, the background will appear in the PDF only if you have enabled the setting to include backgrounds in your read options.

To include the background in a PDF read, go to File > read > PDF Document. Before you click read, check whether there is an option to include backgrounds. If the background does not appear in your PDF, you can go back to File > Page setup and verify that your background is still set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a background image that is stored in my Google Drive?

Yes. When you go to File > Page setup and click the image icon, select Google Drive. You can then choose any image file from your Drive. The image will load each time you open the document, so you need to have access to that Drive file for the background to display.

Does my background show up when someone else opens the document I shared?

No. Each person who opens a shared document sees only the backgrounds they have set for themselves. Your background is a personal preference and does not affect what collaborators see. If you want everyone to see the same visual design, add images or colored shapes directly into the document body instead.

What image file types work as backgrounds?

Google Docs accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP files as backgrounds. If you have an image in a different format, you can convert it using a free online tool or image editor before uploading it to Google Docs.

If I upload an image as a background, does Google store it?

No. When you upload an image from your computer as a background, the file stays on your device. Google Docs does not create a copy of that image on its servers. Google only records that you have set a background for that document.

Can I set a different background for each page in the same document?

No. The Page Setup background applies to the entire document. If you want different pages to have different backgrounds, you would need to create separate documents and link them together, or use colored text boxes and images inserted into the document itself.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.