How to add background image in Pages

Question

Level 2

292 points

How to add background image in Pages

Hello,

I would like to add a background image in Pages - to make the equivalent of stationary paper. I'm attempting this by adding an image into Pages and then (attempting) to set that image as a background image.

I followed these instructions (link below), but ran into a snag.

Pages for Mac: Add watermarks and background objects in a Pages document

Here is the problem:

In step 4 of the instructions "Section Masters" is missing (in my version of Pages anyway). Said another way, I can't find "Section Masters" as described by the instructions.

I suppose it might be good to know if my assumption that one can add a background image is valid. Can you add a background image in Pages?

David

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Jan 6, 2017 11:00 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,400 points

Jan 6, 2017 11:46 AM in response to silver_mica

Here is how you really do it in Pages for Mac v5.6.2.

From your Pages view menu, select Show Layout. Insert a rectangular shape, and then expand it to enclose the document body outline.

Next, visit the Style tab in the right panel. In the Fill section, select:

Image Fill
Scale to Fill
Choose your image to fill the shape.
Arrange menu : Section Masters
Move Object to Section Master
View menu : Hide Layout.

At this point, you have a background image that you can layer text, and other objects over, providing your image is not overly dark.

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Answer 2

silver_mica Author

Level 2

292 points

Jan 6, 2017 11:39 AM in response to silver_mica

Okay, I figured it out.

There are two Arrange buttons.

One is on the left (click paintbrush icon at top to make left pane pop-out show itself). The other Arrange is on the toolbar - at the very top of the computer screen.

I was able to set the inserted image to be a background image using the following command sequence.

arrange --> section masters --> move object to section master

David

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,400 points

Jan 6, 2017 3:40 PM in response to silver_mica

The majority of posts to the Pages for Mac community do not initially volunteer specific product version information, and at best, may use an adjective (latest) instead. Frequently, the adjectives are not accurate, and we are not omniscient.

There are four Pages for Mac applications that run on macOS Sierra:

Pages '08 v3.0.3
Pages '09 v4.3
Pages v5.6.2
Pages v6.0.5

Also, there are Pages for iCloud, and iOS posts that arrive here too. All told, that is six different applications that may require as many different responses to a problem statement. Do we just guess, or wanting to provide the best possible answer, do we ask (many times per day) for the specific Pages version in use — to form the best response?

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Answer 4

silver_mica Author

Level 2

292 points

Jan 7, 2017 10:19 AM in response to Yellowbox

Pages version 6.0.5 (4052).

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Answer 5

silver_mica Author

Level 2

292 points

Jan 6, 2017 10:05 PM in response to VikingOSX

On the off chance that you missed it - I answered my own question before anyone responded to my first post. Also, if someone (or you) desired to know what version of Pages I had on my operating system then, to me, it seems simple enough to ask - and that'd be the end of it. But, being that I already solved my own problem - it seems that you simply desire to make an issue out of nothing. Whatever.

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Answer 6

Yellowbox

Level 7

22,003 points

Jan 6, 2017 11:20 PM in response to silver_mica

Peter was urging you to reply with the Pages version that you are running. That will help other users to help you.

Viking was telling you that there are four Pages for Mac applications that currently run on macOS Sierra:

1 Pages '08 v3.0.3

2 Pages '09 v4.3

3 Pages v5.6.2

4 Pages v6.0.5

Both replies were aimed at seeking further information so that we can help you.

A green tick to your own solution does not help other users if you do not give details of the Pages version and OS where that solution worked.

Other users looking for a successful solution (green tick) will be confused by your replies.

Regards,

Ian.

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Answer 7

Jan 6, 2017 1:15 PM in response to silver_mica

It might surprise you that we don't know what "(in my version of Pages anyway)" is.

Peter

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Answer 8

silver_mica Author

Level 2

292 points

Jan 6, 2017 1:32 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

I feel so surprised. Please, I need to be alone for a while to compose myself.

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