How to use Word document like a board

Word 2016
Word 365 has an option that allows to use Word document like a board to write some notes anywhere without positioning a cursor. This can help to easily format any kind of document on free style.

For example, if you have some schema or map, and it is necessary to put some notes on it, you can easily use the Word document for it.

To create a document with some background picture and notes in some places in it, do the following:

   1.   Add the picture in your document like a background picture:

   1.1.   On the Design tab, in the Page Background group, click Watermark:

Page Background in Word 365

   1.2.   In the Watermark dropdown list, click Custom Watermark...:

Watermark Gallery in Word 365

   1.3.   In the Printed Watermark dialog box:

Picture Watermark in Word for Microsoft 365
  • Select the Picture watermark checkbox,
  • Click the Select picture... button to select the picture that you want to add to the background,
  • Select appropriate Scale if needed:
Picture Watermark Scale in Word for Microsoft 365

Note: you can choose the preferable scale and see how it will look like by clicking the Apply button without closing this dialog box.

   1.4.   Click OK to see the background picture:

Schema Watermark in Word for Microsoft 365

   2.   Double-click anywhere in the document and type notes:

Schema Watermark with text in Word for Microsoft 365

Note: With double-clicking, you can insert text, not just typing it, also you can paste a picture or another object:

Schema Watermark with picture in Word for Microsoft 365

See also this tip in French: Comment utiliser un document Word comme un tableau.

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