How to Add a Header and Footer in Word
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
1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click Header (or Footer).
3. Pick a design. Blank gives you a plain area to type in.
4. Type your text.
2. Click Header (or Footer).
3. Pick a design. Blank gives you a plain area to type in.
4. 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.
• 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:
1. Click where the new chapter starts.
2. Go to Layout → Breaks → Next Page.
3. Double-click the header in the new section.
4. Click Link to Previous to turn it off.
5. Type the new header. The earlier sections stay as they were.
2. Go to Layout → Breaks → Next Page.
3. Double-click the header in the new section.
4. Click Link to Previous to turn it off.
5. 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.
