How do I set a full page background in Writer?

I’m trying to set an image from gallery as page background. It should cover the full page as it’s intended to be printed as a book. Any time I set an image as background, it only covers the area inside margins but not the whole page.
I’m using LibreOffice 5.0.
I’ve tried the solutions posted here and others found on Google, but they don’t work.

Is there any way to set an image as full page background?
Thanks in advance!

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I'm using LibreOffice 5.0

Your problem was solved in LO version 6.x, but there is a bug in it, see discussion on Writer - Custom background size (image as page background) - unwanted images are not deleted

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LibreOffice 5.x and earlier and Apache OpenOffice

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For an image background for entire pages insert an image in page | background, set page margins to 0 (each) and set page borders margins to acceptable amount (could be 2 cm each). It will work. Choose Stretched for image, choose -none- for type of border. In LO it should be possible not to define type of border (so it will not show but have the desired effect).

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Question to OP: Why not update to at least LO 5.4.7 or LO 6.2.8.2?

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This was impossible in 2016 (without using workarounds); but it was implemented in tdf#33041 for v.6.3 in 2019; and re-implemented properly in v.7.2 in 2021, to have proper UI in the page style dialog.

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This one work perfectly for me:

This should be marked as solution, because the other answer puts an image in background but won’t let the user edit the document properly, if at all.
Both answers are hacks of course. This hack on Youtube was posted 7 years ago, which begs the question: WHEN will the devs fix the bogus full page background in Writer? I mean, seriously. Why do very basic limitations last for decades in this app?

This should be marked as solution, because the other answer puts an image in background but won’t let the user edit the document properly, if at all.
Both answers are hacks of course. This hack on Youtube was posted 7 years ago, which begs the question: WHEN will the devs fix the bogus full page background in Writer? I mean, seriously. Why do very basic limitations last for decades in this app?

Try this solution (Full A4 background image in Writer)

Insert > Media > Gallery > (on the right side you see tool panels, from there choose background) > right-click on the background image from the drop-down menu > inset image as -page background > select the image on the page in the work area > right-click > send-to-back.

And you are all set!

Try this as a good solution. I am using Version 7.3.6.2 (x64) of LibreOffice Community

Format => Page Style => Area Tab => Image =>

  • Click on Add/Import button and import the image you want as background.
  • Select Style as “Stretched” for a full page background.
  • Apply and Ok

This works for me.

However, there is a bug here. After I Save and Close the File, when I open it again, the background is gone. I have to do this all over again. Not sure what is the issue. I hope there is a solution for this bug.

You added an “answer” to an 6 years old question, not giving much newer information - as “use a newer version of LO than 5” is already in the thread. Not a recommended idea.

If you wish to discuss your Problem, please open your own thread. I assume you save your file as .odt-file.
If you wish to report a bug, this can be done at bugzilla: Log in to Bugzilla

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Hmm, maybe I didn’t need to add my “solution” below.