https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=171920
Bug ID: 171920
Summary: Image handling regression – missing “Anchor to Page”
and broken transparency/background behavior
Product: LibreOffice
Version: 26.2.2.2 release
Hardware: x86-64 (AMD64)
OS: Windows (All)
Status: UNCONFIRMED
Severity: normal
Priority: medium
Component: Writer
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
Created attachment 206886
--> https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/attachment.cgi?id=206886&action=edit
Show relationship of background image, text and foreground image
I have a document prepared in Word 2019. It has a large background (color
watermark) image that almost fills the page. I cannot get it to go to the back
so I can select text. When I add another image, I cannot set the transparent
background color so the watermark will show through as with a real signature.
The image does not move around normally. It totally messes up the page. Other
problem, below.
LibreOffice Writer’s image handling has regressed compared to earlier versions
and compared to Microsoft Word.
The “Anchor to Page” option is no longer available in the Anchor menu, leaving
only “To Paragraph,” “To Character,” and “As Character.” Without “Anchor to
Page,” background images cannot be fixed in place and consistently behave like
true page backgrounds.
“Wrap ? In Background” does not reliably push images behind text. Even when
selected, background images remain in front of text or interfere with text
selection.
The Transparent Color tool is missing or ineffective, making it impossible to
remove white backgrounds from scanned signatures or logos directly in Writer.
As a result, workflows that require layered images (e.g., placing a transparent
signature block over a background image in official documents) are broken or
extremely difficult.
Steps to Reproduce:
Insert a background image.
Attempt to anchor it to the page (option missing).
Attempt “Wrap ? In Background” (image remains in front of text).
Insert a transparent PNG signature block.
Try to position it over the background image without interfering with text.
Expected Result:
Background image should stay fixed to the page and behind text.
Foreground images (e.g., signature block) should be positionable without
jumping or squashing.
Transparent color should be settable directly in Writer, as in Word.
Actual Result:
Background image moves unpredictably, sometimes to a new page.
Background image ends up in front of text and cannot be sent behind.
Transparency cannot be set, forcing external tools.
Impact:
This makes Writer unsuitable for official document workflows that require
layered images and transparent signatures. It is a barrier to adoption for
users who would otherwise switch from Word/Windows.
I will try to attach the word document. Try to work with text over the
background image. It is impossible. I have tried this, yearly, for a decade
and it still does not work. It locks me to Office and Windows.
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