[Guide] 4 Ways to Easily Remove Excel Watermark, Including Image and Text
Last Updated on September 20, 2025 by Peter Wood
Watermarks in Excel are useful for draft branding or annotation, but sometimes they can be an unnecessary distraction or hindrance when sharing or finalizing a document. Fortunately, removing watermarks in Excel is a simple process that can help streamline your spreadsheets and presentations. Whether you're collaborating with colleagues on a project or preparing a professional report, knowing how to effectively remove watermarks can improve the clarity and professionalism of your Excel documents. In this article, we’ll explore various ways to remove watermarks in Excel to suit different versions and scenarios, ensuring you can present your data without any visual distractions.
Part 1: 3 Ways to Remove Watermark from Excel
Method 1: Directly Delete Watermark in Excel
If the watermark in Excel is inserted directly through the text box, then this will be the easiest way to delete the watermark. You only need to delete it with the text box selected.
Step 1: When the Excel file can be edited successfully, select Page Layout in the lower right corner of the page as the viewing perspective of the workbook.
Step 2: From this perspective, directly select the text box where the watermark is located. After the selection is successful, click the Delete key to successfully delete the watermark in Excel.
Method 2: Remove the Image Watermark on the Excel
When the watermark appears in Excel as an image, there is a high probability that it is added as a background. In this case, you need to do it in the page settings of Excel. You can follow the following steps.
Step 1: Double-click the Excel file to open the file and directly enter the editing state of Excel. To delete the image watermark, you need to edit it in Page Layout.
Step 2: Switch to Page Layout in the upper ribbon, and then click the Delete Background button in Page Setup to delete the background image as a watermark in Excel.
Method 3: Remove the text watermark
When a text watermark appears in Excel, if it is not deleted as a text box, then in most cases it is added in the header and footer, and you need to edit it.
Step 1: Open the Excel file on your computer. To remove the watermark in the header and footer, you need to find the Text ribbon in the Insert tab. Select Header & Footer to enter the editing state of header and footer.
Step 2: At this time, you will be able to see the title box showing images or text. Delete the content in the title box directly. In this way, you can successfully delete the watermark in Excel, even if it is saved in the header and footer.
Part 2: How to Delete Watermarks in Excel that are Restricted from Editing
When the watermark in Excel is restricted from editing, none of the above operations can be used. You can do it in the best way, which is to use professional watermark removal software. WidsMob Watermark Cleaner is a software specially created for watermarks. You can use it to remove all watermarks and use AI technology to seamlessly fill the content to achieve truly traceless removal. You can use WidsMob Watermark Cleaner to remove watermarks from Excel by saving it as a PDF file and then saving the Excel file as an image format via PDF when Excel is restricted for editing.
1. Supports removing watermarks in multiple formats, including text, logos, and images.
2. Batch process watermark removal on multiple files.
3. Reduce artifacts and distortion in watermark files.
4. Allows importing various formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.
Step 1: Download and install WidsMob Watermark Cleaner on your computer. After the installation is complete, start the software. There are 4 functions on the home page of the software, which are to add and delete watermarks in videos and to add and delete watermarks in images. Click the Photo Watermark Removal button to enter the page for removing image watermarks.
Step 2: Click the Add Files button on the page and select the image converted from Excel in the pop-up dialog box. When choosing, you don’t have to worry about too much content, because this software can support you to batch import images for watermark removal. Once the image selection has been successfully imported, you will be able to view all images in the list on the left.
Step 3: Select an image so that it appears in the preview box in the center of the page. On the right side of the preview box, you can select the watermark by using the Brush or Rectangle tool. If it is a regular watermark, you can choose the Rectangle tool, and for irregular watermarks, use the Brush tool.
Step 4: After the watermark is successfully selected, you can use the Erase tool to modify the edge of the watermark so that it retains more content. After confirming that it is correct, select the storage address of the non-watermarked Excel file in Output Location, and click the Export button to export the non-watermarked content to the software.
Part 3: FAQ of Removing Watermark from Excel
Conclusion
Removing watermarks in Excel doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With the right technology and tools, you can ensure your spreadsheets and presentations maintain a polished and professional appearance. Whether you need to face Excel that can be edited, or Excel that is restricted from editing, here are a variety of methods to help you remove watermarks seamlessly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently manage and customize your Excel documents, ensuring they convey your message effectively without any unnecessary visual clutter. So, the next time you encounter a watermark in your Excel file, rest assured that you have the knowledge and skills to remove it quickly and efficiently, allowing you to present your data clearly and accurately.