Yes, you can change the background of a Google Doc in two ways
Google Docs lets you change the background to a solid color or upload an image. The background appears behind your text on the page and prints with your document. You control this through the File menu, and the change affects the entire document — you cannot set different backgrounds for different pages.
The process takes about one minute. You will need to be the document owner or have editing permission to make this change.
Key Takeaways
- Open File > Page setup to find the background color and image options in one place.
- Solid color backgrounds work best for documents you plan to print, because they use less ink than images.
- Image backgrounds must be uploaded from your computer or selected from Google's built-in image library.
- The background applies to all pages in the document at once — you cannot use different backgrounds on different pages.
- If you share the document, collaborators will see the background you set, and they can change it if they have editing permission.
How to set a solid color background
Open your Google Doc and click File in the top left corner. From the dropdown menu, select Page setup. A box will open on the right side of your screen.
In the Page setup box, you will see a section labeled Background color. Click the colored square next to it. A color picker will appear. You can click any color in the grid, or type a hex color code (like #FF5733) if you know the exact shade you want. Once you have chosen your color, click Done at the bottom of the Page setup box.
The background color will appear when ready behind all the text in your document. If you change your mind, return to File > Page setup, click the background color square, and select a new color or click the X to remove the background entirely.
How to set an image as the background
Open your Google Doc and click File, then Page setup. In the Page setup box, look for the section labeled Background image. Click the image icon next to it.
A window will open with three options: Upload, Search the web, or Google Photos. Choose Upload to use a photo from your computer. Select Search the web to find an image online (Google will search for images you can use). Choose Google Photos if you want to use a photo already stored in your Google account.
Once you have selected an image, it will appear as the background of your document. The image will tile (repeat) if it is smaller than the page, and it will print with your document. Image backgrounds can make text harder to read, so consider using a light or faded image, or choosing a solid color instead.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most frequent problem is uploading an image that is too dark or too busy. If your background image makes the text hard to read, switch to a solid light color or choose a simpler image. You can also try uploading a lighter version of the same image using an image editor on your computer before uploading it to Google Docs.
Another mistake is forgetting that the background applies to the entire document. If you need different backgrounds on different pages, you will have to create separate documents and combine them later, or use a solid color that works for all pages. Google Docs does not support page-by-page background changes.
Some users also set a background and then forget they did, making it hard to read when they print. If you plan to print your document, test it on a printer first or stick with a light solid color. Dark backgrounds use a lot of ink and may not print the way they appear on screen.
What happens when you share a document with a background
When you share a Google Doc with a background, anyone you share it with will see that background. If they have editing permission, they can change the background themselves — the change will explore to the document for everyone viewing it. If they only have viewing permission, they will see the background but cannot change it.
If you are collaborating with others and want to keep the background consistent, you can ask collaborators not to change it, but Google Docs does not have a way to lock the background setting. The best approach is to set the background you want and remind collaborators before they start editing.
Removing a background you no longer want
To remove a background color, open File > Page setup, click the colored square next to Background color, and click the X button in the top right corner of the color picker. The background will disappear when ready.
To remove a background image, open File > Page setup, click the image icon next to Background image, and click the X button. The image will be removed, and your document will return to a white background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different backgrounds on different pages?
No. Google Docs applies the background to the entire document at once. If you need different backgrounds on different pages, you will need to create separate documents for each section and combine them later, or use a single background that works for all pages.
Will my background print when I print the document?
Yes, the background will print. If you are using a dark background or image, test it on your printer first, because it may use a lot of ink or look different in print than it does on screen. Light solid colors are usually the safest choice for printing.
Can I upload a background image from the internet?
Yes. In the Page setup box, click the image icon next to Background image, then select Search the web. Google will search for images you can use. You can also upload an image from your computer by selecting Upload instead.
What if the background image is too small for the page?
The image will tile, or repeat, to fill the page. If you want the image to cover the entire page without repeating, you will need to resize it in an image editor on your computer before uploading it to Google Docs.
Can I change the background if I only have viewing permission?
No. You must be the document owner or have editing permission to change the background. If you only have viewing permission, you can see the background but cannot modify it.