Headers and footers are the areas at the very top and bottom of every page. Anything you put there — a title, your logo, a date, page numbers — repeats automatically on every page, so you only have to type it once.
Quick reference
| What you want | How |
|---|---|
| Add a header | Insert → Header |
| Add a footer | Insert → Footer |
| Edit an existing one | Double-click the top or bottom margin |
| Close it | Esc or Close Header and Footer |
1. Add a header or footer
- Click the Insert tab.
- Click Header (or Footer).
- Pick a design. Blank gives you a plain area to type in.
- Type your text.
The Header & Footer tab opens on the ribbon while you’re working in it.
2. The fastest way in
Double-click in the top or bottom margin of any page. You’re straight into the header or footer, ready to type. Double-click back in the main text to leave.
3. Add a logo, date or page numbers
While the header or footer is open:
- Pictures — insert your logo. Resize it by dragging a corner.
- Date & Time — tick Update automatically if you want today’s date each time you open it.
- Page Number — choose where numbers go and how they look.
4. Use a different first page
Title pages usually shouldn’t have a header. Tick Different First Page on the Header & Footer tab and the first page gets its own (empty) header and footer.
5. Different odd and even pages
For printed booklets, tick Different Odd & Even Pages. You can then put the page number on the outside edge of each page, just like a book.
6. A different header in each section
Want chapter names in the header? Split the document into sections:
- Click where the new chapter starts.
- Go to Layout → Breaks → Next Page.
- Double-click the header in the new section.
- Click Link to Previous to turn it off.
- Type the new header. The earlier sections stay as they were.
7. Remove a header or footer
Go to Insert → Header → Remove Header (or Footer → Remove Footer).
Troubleshooting
Changing one header changes them all. The sections are still linked. Turn off Link to Previous in each section you want to be different.
There’s a line under my header. It’s part of the design. Click in the header, then Home → Borders → No Border.
The header text is too close to the top. On the Header & Footer tab, increase Header from Top.
Wrapping up
Double-click the margin to jump in, press Esc to jump out. Add Different First Page for a clean title page, and use section breaks when you need headers that change through the document.
