Google user
Original Poster
Apr 22, 2019
How can I text on top of a picture?
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Hi everyone,
Just circling back on this thread to let you know that you can now move images both behind and over text in Google Docs, in case others are searching for this feature in the future. Similarly, Google Docs will also support conversions of Microsoft Word files with images behind and over text. You can find out more on how to format images through this Help Center article.
Thanks!
Community Specialist Cadal - Community Specialist recommended this
Hi, Christopher,
At this time, the only way to add text behind an image (aka watermark) in a Google Docs document is to put your text into a text box via Insert > Drawing and set up the image with a high transparency to layer over it.
How to Add a Text Box to an Image in Google Docs
- Paste or upload the image to your document.
- Click on the image to select it.
- Adjust the transparency by going to Image options > Transparency and moving the slider as needed.
- Copy the image by clicking on it and pressing Ctrl/Cmd + C.
- Go to Insert > Drawing.
- Paste the image (Ctrl/Cmd V) in the Drawing application.
- Select the Text tool and drag the text box to wherever you want it over the image, resizing it as needed.
- Type in the text you want to add, using the font of your choice.
- Select the blue Save & Close button.
This may be more complex than what you're seeking if you have a document that's longer than one page. The best and easiest alternative would be to convert the document to a PDF (go to File > Download as ...) and then add the watermark with a free online app, such as Watermark PDF Files, I Love PDF, or Watermark Images.
~Jo
All Replies (17)
Apr 22, 2019
Hi, Christopher,
At this time, the only way to add text behind an image (aka watermark) in a Google Docs document is to put your text into a text box via Insert > Drawing and set up the image with a high transparency to layer over it.
How to Add a Text Box to an Image in Google Docs
- Paste or upload the image to your document.
- Click on the image to select it.
- Adjust the transparency by going to Image options > Transparency and moving the slider as needed.
- Copy the image by clicking on it and pressing Ctrl/Cmd + C.
- Go to Insert > Drawing.
- Paste the image (Ctrl/Cmd V) in the Drawing application.
- Select the Text tool and drag the text box to wherever you want it over the image, resizing it as needed.
- Type in the text you want to add, using the font of your choice.
- Select the blue Save & Close button.
This may be more complex than what you're seeking if you have a document that's longer than one page. The best and easiest alternative would be to convert the document to a PDF (go to File > Download as ...) and then add the watermark with a free online app, such as Watermark PDF Files, I Love PDF, or Watermark Images.
~Jo
Dario, that currently isn't possible. Please see my post earlier in this thread for how to add text to an image using a text box.
~Jo
Jun 28, 2019
Google user
Original Poster
Jul 8, 2019
Hi, Samantha,
Sadly, there isn't any way to improve the image quality at this time. Please send in your feedback about the low-quality images via Help > Report a problem.
~Jo
Annonamous, since your question is related to Slides, not Docs (which is the original poster's question), please start a new question of your own in the help forum:
~Jo
Jonah, the text tool is in the drawing panel (via Insert > Drawing > New). I have it circled in the screen shot below.
~Jo
Oct 21, 2019
Ctrl+Up = Send the selected image one "layer" up
Ctrl+Down = Send the selected image one "layer" down
Ctrl+Shift+Up = Send the selected image to the very bottom laye
Ctrl+Shift+Down = Send the selected image to the very top layer
Ctrl+Shift+Down = Send the selected image to the very top layer
However, on Google Docs, as there are no text boxes, it isn't possible because the image breaks the text up and can't layer over or under it
Last edited Oct 21, 2019
Nov 4, 2019
Will this feature be released?
Kristian, please see my instructions earlier in this thread for how to create a text box to layer over an image.
The help communities are managed by volunteer product users (even the product experts are volunteers), not Google employees. We can offer assistance with troubleshooting and how-to questions, but we have no control over product improvements or general issues/complaints, and we have no idea what Google's future plans are for Docs.
You can submit your concerns by opening a Docs document and going to Help > Report a problem. The team reviews all feedback sent to them but is unable to respond to individual users. Google doesn't check the help forums for user feedback, so it's important that you use the in-product tool. The more users who request this capability via in-product feedback, the greater the chances are of the team considering it.
~Jo
Hi everyone,
Just circling back on this thread to let you know that you can now move images both behind and over text in Google Docs, in case others are searching for this feature in the future. Similarly, Google Docs will also support conversions of Microsoft Word files with images behind and over text. You can find out more on how to format images through this Help Center article.
Thanks!
Community Specialist Cadal - Community Specialist recommended this