Office writer with image

Using version 24.8.0.3 on Mac Big Sur

I have a single page document, with a single image I would like as a background (where it has always been).

Recently it has moved to the front and I have tried ‘send to back’ and ‘back 1 step’ (although there are only 2 layers) and tried different wrap settings but I still cannot type any text until I move the image layer off the page, enter my wording, and put it back afterwards.

How do I move the background image to the back of the document and keep it there?? Thanks

Attach your document so that I have an idea on the technical parameters of your image and its insertion.
Also tell if you want the image on every page.

Hi - There’s just one page and one image - transparent PNG. It’s basically a letterhead template I have been using for a number of years no problem, just type the details straight in.

Now every time I open it, the text options are disabled unless or until I remove the image, type in my details and put it back after. That suggests despite my settings, the image remains at the front - it is never ‘moved back 1’ ‘moved to the back’ or ‘in the background’ There’s obviously something not checked in the settings or switched off? (Since the ‘user defined dictionaries’ and ‘check spelling as you type’ keep switching themselves off - but probably unrelated to this). Cheers.
test3.odt (482.6 KB)

The behaviour is expected: your page initially contains no text, only the image. It is likely that its format has no transparent feature, i.e. its white areas are in fact solid white. Consequently when you click there, you automatically select the image. And you can’t click anywhere else because the image fully covers the page.

You anchored the image To page, which means it will appear only on page 1. But its current properties do not allow it to be sent to background: its wrap mode is None, meaning no text can coexist with it. You should set wrap mode to Through, then Options In background is enabled and can be set.

However, this will not solve your problem because of the non-transparent image background. Unless you already have text (which is in the foreground), any click will land in the white image area and select it.

Also, your text area (page margins, paragraph styles configuration) is incompatible with the full-page image extent.

You must re-work your document.

Use built-in First Page style for your first page. It automatically switches to Default Page Style on next page. Modify First Page configuration to add your image as a background in the Area tab. The image will then be truly in the background and will no longer be selected by any click. Adjust the margins to take into account the “significant” parts of the image. You can also play with the header and footer to have true text there. It will be easier to modify than in the image.

Running pages in the document will be under Default Page Style control. Margins can be different from the first page, as can be header and footer.

It is a transparent image (if you pull up the image map editor you cn see the main body is transparent/empty. I’ve now modified the original (attached) maybe the settings here aren’t messed with??

I really don’t understand why a 1 page, 2 layer document has got so complicated… but thanks for your input.
test4.odt (490.0 KB)

Here is a partial sample incorporating some of @ajlittoz suggestions. I did get confused as to why the language appeared as English (UK) but the page style is Letter
test4_114092EA.ott (554.7 KB)

Because you want to add an element, the image, in such a way that it won’t be selected accidentally when you are trying to edit text in front of it.
The complication is minor (a few minutes only) because once a template is set up correctly with proper styles, there is nothing more to worry about formatting, it happens automatically; you just have to concentrate on the text. For every letter that you send.