[techtalk] WORD/G-Docs: The Trick to Add a Background Image to a Table

Wed May 3 09:23:13 PDT 2023

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Make your Tables pop!

[Tech-Talk 27 years]

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Webinars for You

·     May 17: [MOBILE] How to Organize and Move Photos from Your Phone to Your Computer [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

·     May 24: [WORD] How to Create Gorgeous TABLES in a Word Document [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

·     June 14: [INTERNET] Understanding Your Options in Cloud Storage and How to Find Your Files Easily [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

·     June 28: [EXCEL] Linking Data and Text Between Documents to Auto Update [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

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WORD / G-Docs: The Trick to Add a Background Image to a Table

Intermediate

You've created a Table in Word (or Google Docs), but it's pretty plain and you want to punch it up a bit. You could use some shading with the Table Design tools, but the content in it is pretty simple and just needs something artistic to set it off.

Although there's no built-in way to just insert an image as the background of a table, we have figured out how to do it in a few steps.

For example, you could have a plain table like these images (on the left), or some that make more of an impact (on the right).

[table background example]

Let's look at: 1) how to add a background image, and 2) make the picture a bit transparent so that the text on top will be more readable.

Microsoft Word: Add a Background Image to a Table

NOTE: We already have our Table set up. If you want more training on using Tables in Word, just log into Tech-Talk.com/search<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001hriWt3QJlNm6vlPhDGEMHsSvNTXdnl-uJK95qiKkTqnCXthsdEyoRDlDky9_1YbTmJ4-8vqAN2mPQ7uJLJizxU3LkUnIosdiliBIi3Mni5kyv3cymp4pLjM61YIG0K-kfevatOO9PAv8b16FIJaxbwMm10t2d0dP&c=IOnywwHz4Jtg1i35z_oLTQoTpEpT_rJ8cnfGnwxpkmv0QqUnhYmBwQ==&ch=wPbnc4UyGLjn26EozDSJd8_rFUhCJ31FlX5YeNXITnuQXgkCY4fpPg==> and add "Tables in Word" to the search box.

With a created table...

STEP 1: Add the Image

·     First, put your cursor in the Word doc just above the Table (not in it).

[table]

·     Then go to the Insert tab and use the drop-down under Pictures to select an image from your computer that you want to add or search for one from Stock photos (if you have MS 365). Select the Insert button.

·     In the Picture Format tab that opens in the ribbon, go to Wrap Text, and select Behind Text from the dropdown. The picture should pop behind the table.

[insert image]

·     Because the image won't be perfectly sized to the dimensions of your Table, click on the image and use the surrounding resizing handles to drag the picture to be larger/smaller wider/narrower until it fits the table. You may need to distort the image a bit to make it fit.

·     If you don't want to change the image dimensions, you can crop it. Highlight the image, in the Picture Format tab, click the Crop icon and choose Crop from the drop-down. Thicker black handles will appear on the sides of the image. Drag the bars to determine the new size of the image (cropped areas will turn gray). When finished, to lock in place, click Crop from the menu again and Crop from the drop-down selections.

STEP 2: Change the Image Transparency

Don't worry if your Table text is hard to read, we will adjust the text color and image transparency.

·     Because the image is behind the Table, to be able to make changes, go to the Layout tab and click on Selection Pane.

·      In the Selection window that opens to the right of the screen, click on "Picture" to bring it to the front.

[add image]

·     Now, in the Picture Format tab, go to Transparency and choose from one of the displayed options, or click Picture Transparency Options to customize the percentage so that it is faded enough to see the text.

·     Click out of the table area in your Doc and close the Selection panel so that you can edit the Table further.

·     You may need to make adjustments to your Table text color to make it more visible.

[finished table]

Google Docs: Add a Background Image to a Table

The steps to add an image behind a Table in Google Docs is very similar to Word.

STEP 1: Add the Image

·     Put your cursor in the Google Doc just above the Table (not in it).

[image in Google Doc]

·     Then go to the Insert tab and click Image. Select an image from your computer, Google Drive or Photos and Insert.

·     Make sure the image is highlighted and either from the toolbar (or by right-clicking on top of the image), select Image options.

·     In the Image Options side panel that opens, go to the Text Wrapping section, and select Behind text. The picture should pop behind the table.

[wrap text]

·     Just like in Word, because the image won't be perfectly sized to your table, click on the image and use the surrounding resizing handles to drag the image to be larger/smaller wider/narrower until it fits the table.

[resize image]

·     If you don't want to stretch the image and lose the aspect ratio, you can crop it. Highlight the image, in the toolbar, click the Crop icon (to the left of Image options.)

·     Thicker black handles will appear on the sides of the image. Drag the bars to determine the new size of the image (cropped areas will turn gray).

·     When finished, click out of the image to lock it in place.

STEP 2: Change the Image Transparency

·     Click on the image so you can see blue handles along the top/bottom and sides.
·     Again, in the ribbon click on Image options (If it's not already still open).

[opacity]

·     Toggle the Adjustments section open (at the bottom of the panel).

·     Use the Opacity toggle to slide to the left to lower the transparency of the image. Brightness and Contrast can be adjusted as well.

·     Make adjustments to your Table text color to make it more visible.

[final table]

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Communications

Creatively use a log

You have a project and ideas for it, right? Maybe it's a program that you offer multiple times throughout the year. Or an annual event.

Wouldn't it be handy if you had a log of what you've done? You'd be able to keep it up-to-date as you go along. This way you could: scan what topics you've already featured, when you held the event, who the guest speaker was ... anything that is relevant.

You'd have a simple Word table or Excel spreadsheet that listed the info. It doesn't have to be pretty, but the history of what you've done can be very beneficial.

It's an excellent communication tool ... for your own planning. And, if dressed up, can be useful in sharing with others so they appreciate the work (and the thought) that goes into what you're doing.

BONUS: The other part of the log can often be a collection point for your spontaneous ideas. You know, those sparks of genius that you want to record so the ideas are there when you need them. Putting them into the log ... the possible ideas section ... will increase your efficiency and effectiveness.

NOTE: We have logs for each content area of Tech-Talk: technology articles, communication tips, leadership ideas, and webinars. We like logs!

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Leadership

Ready to Give Up?

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for it is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
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State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
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