Template Issues

Fix Custom Watermark Not Saving in Word

Bushra Parveen Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to permanently save a custom watermark to the Word Watermark Gallery so it remains available across sessions.

How to Fix Custom Watermark Not Saving in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a custom watermark in a document and attempting to save it to the Watermark Gallery for future use.
Observed behavior: The custom watermark works during the active session but disappears after Word restarts because the Building Blocks.dotx file fails to update.

Before you start

Ensure you are not working in an unsaved blank document, as Word requires an active saved file to properly commit changes to its underlying templates.

Solution 1Recommended

Save the Document Before Saving to the Watermark Gallery

Word requires the active document to be saved before it can successfully commit new building blocks or watermarks to its default template.

A common mistake is creating a custom watermark in a brand-new, unsaved document. When you select 'Save Selection to Watermark Gallery', Word may fail to immediately write this to the template if the document itself has never been saved.

Save your current document

Press Ctrl + S or go to File > Save to save your current document to your local drive.

Save the watermark to the gallery

Select your custom watermark, navigate to the Design tab (or Page Layout), click Watermark, and select 'Save Selection to Watermark Gallery'.

Confirm template changes when closing

Close Microsoft Word. If a prompt appears asking if you want to save changes to 'Building Blocks.dotx', you must click 'Save'.

Save the Document Before Saving to the Watermark Gallery

Template Updated: By confirming the save to Building Blocks.dotx, your watermark is permanently stored and will be available the next time you open Word.

Solution 2

Create a Custom Global Template for Watermarks

Store your custom watermarks in a separate global template instead of the default Building Blocks file for easier management and backup.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Hassle-Free Watermarks

If you are tired of troubleshooting complex template configurations and building block errors, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Writer offers a highly intuitive watermark tool that works seamlessly without requiring complicated template saving procedures.

1. Download and install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents seamlessly.
3. Easily insert and manage watermarks: Navigate to the Insert tab, click Watermark, and use the straightforward Custom Watermark tool to design and apply your watermark instantly.

Completely free, lightweight, and fast to installHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and layoutsIntuitive Insert Watermark feature with instant and reliable savingNo complicated Building Blocks configurations or background template errors

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word ask to save Building Blocks.dotx when closing?

Word stores customized elements like custom watermarks, headers, footers, and quick parts in a master template file called Building Blocks.dotx. It asks for confirmation when closing to ensure your new customizations are permanently written to this file.

Where is the Building Blocks.dotx file located?

By default on Windows, the Building Blocks file is located in the hidden AppData folder at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Document Building Blocks.

Can I transfer my custom watermarks to another computer?

Yes. If you save your custom watermarks in a separate global template (.dotx file) instead of the default Building Blocks file, you can easily copy that template file to the Word Startup folder on any other computer to transfer your watermarks.

Document & File Issues