Using Background Page

A background page is the same as a regular, or foreground, page.  The only difference is that it can be attached to a foreground page and show itself as the background of the foreground page.  For example, this drawing has a background page showing a left and a right panel.

Sharing A Background with Different Foreground Pages

You can use a background page to keep the shared shapes, such as background images, copyright information, and the corporate logo.  The page can be attached to different foreground pages to create a consistent page background.

Protecting Your Shapes

You can also use a background page to protect shapes from being modified or deleted since these shapes won't be touched when you are editing a foreground page.

Creating A Background Page:

1. Choose menu Insert > Page

2. Choose Background as the Page Type.  Optionally change the page name.  Click OK.

3. Create your drawing as usual.  You can add the stencil Background in category Visio Extra and use the master shapes.

Attaching A Background Page To A Foreground Page:

1. Click the foreground page to make it editable -- Page-1 in this case:

2. Choose menu File > Page Set Up.  Click tab Page Properties.  Choose a background page, Background-1 for instance, then click OK.
   

Tip - Take Advantage of Your PowerPoint Backgrounds: Microsoft PowerPoint has very nice backgrounds to create slides. It's very easy to get more from the Web.  Now, you can take advantage of these backgrounds by using them in your Visio drawing.  Click here to see how.

See also: Using PowerPoint Backgrounds, Using Pictures and Clipart, Using Template