Change the background color in Illustrator

[PaulKraemer1]

Hi,

I am using Illustrator 26.0.2, but I am a beginner.  I have an .ai file that has a logo that consists of a multiple paths. All of the paths that form the logo are in a single group. When I open the Layers panel, I can hide the entire logo by clicking on the "eyeball" icon for this group. When I do this, all I see is a white background. I would like to change this background to a different (solid) color. If anyone can tell me what is the easiest way to do this, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

In order to have a background color, draw a rectangle and fill it with the desired color.

The white you see is just the artboard, but actually there is no background in Illustrator.

[Larry G. Schneider]

Easiest would be to add a new layer to the project and in the Layer panel make sure that new layer is below the logo layer in the stack. Then with that layer active, use the rectangle tool to draw a path of an appropriate size and color it as you like. 

[PaulKraemer1]

Thank you Monika and Larry! That was a big help!!

Best regards, Paul