Insert a header or footer
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Go to Insert > Header or Footer.
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Choose the header style you want to use.
Tip: Some built-in header and footer designs include page numbers.
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Add or change text for the header or footer. For more info on things you can do with headers, see Edit your existing headers and footers. To edit a header or footer that’s been already created, double-click on it.
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To eliminate a header—like deleting it on the title page—select it and then check the Different First Page box.
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Select Close Header and Footer or press Esc to exit.
To delete, select Insert > Header (or Footer) > Remove Header (or Remove Footer).
Add a standard or customized header or footer
-
Go to Insert > Header or Footer.
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Choose from a list of standard headers or footers, go to the list of Header or Footer options, and select the header or footer that you want.
Or, create your own header or footer by selecting Edit Header or Edit Footer.
-
When you’re done, select Close Header and Footer or press Esc.
Important:
Office for Mac 2011 is no longer supported. Upgrade to Microsoft 365 to work anywhere from any device and continue to receive support.
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On the Layout tab, under View, click Page Layout.
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On the Layout tab, under Page Setup, click Header & Footer.
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Choose from a list of standard headers or footers by going to the Header or Footer pop-up menu, and clicking the header or footer that you want.
Or, create your own header or footer by clicking Customize Header or Customize Footer and following the instructions.
Note: When you customize your header or footer, you can add images, page numbers, date, time, sheet name, file name and path, and more.
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Go to Insert > Header & Footer.
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Add or header or footer text.
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Use the Options menu for additional customization.
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To exit, select Close Header and Footer or press Esc.
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To delete, select Insert > Header (or Footer) > Remove Header (or Remove Footer).
For more on headers and footers, see Headers and footers in Word.
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This wikiHow teaches you how to create your own custom headers and footers in Microsoft Word. You can start with one of Word’s pre-made header and footer templates or start yours from scratch. Both headers and footers can include custom text, page numbers, images, and special formatting.
Things You Should Know
- Click Insert > Header or Footer > Edit Header or Edit Footer.
- Create your header. You can add page numbers, date, and logos. Then, hit Close Header & Footer to preview it on the document.
- Double click the header or footer to make edits or change the settings.
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1
Click the Insert tab. It’s at the top of Word.
- If you’ve already inserted a header or footer and want to edit it, simply double-click it now.
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2
Click Header or Footer. It’s in the «Header & Footer» panel at the top of Word. A menu will expand.
- On the menu, you’ll see different header and footer styles that you can use as a starting point—all are fully editable. You can select one of these now to add it to your document if you’d like. To edit the header or footer after placing it, just double-click it on the page.
- You can also browse more pre-made headers and footers by clicking More Headers from Office.com.
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3
Click Edit Header or Edit Footer. Depending on the option you selected, you’ll see the link at the bottom of the menu. This opens a Design tab in the toolbar that’s specifically for creating custom headers and footers.
- Every time you double-click a header or footer to edit it, the Design tab (Windows) or Header & Footer tab (Mac) will automatically open.
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4
Click Page Number to add page numbering. You can select from a number of numbering styles and locations from the menu.
- Click the Format Page Numbers menu to choose a different number format, such as roman numerals. You can also choose to add other numbering elements here, such as chapter numbers and headings.[1]
- Click the Format Page Numbers menu to choose a different number format, such as roman numerals. You can also choose to add other numbering elements here, such as chapter numbers and headings.[1]
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5
Add text to the header or footer. If you’d like to add specific text, such as your name, to the header or footer, you can easily type it at the desired location. If you chose one of Word’s pre-made header or footer templates, you can edit the placeholder text by clicking the text and typing over it.
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6
Insert other features into the header or footer. The «Insert» panel on the Design or Header & Footer tab contains a bunch of different features you can add to your header or footer:
- Date & Time: This allows you to select a date and/or time format to place in the header or footer.
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Document Info: Use this option to include certain information about your document in the header or footer, such as the document’s title, author name, and file path.[2]
- Quick Parts: Quick Parts are reusable text and properties that you can add to any part of your document, including headers and footers.
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Pictures or Online Pictures: You can use either of these options to place an image into your header or footer.[3]
For best results, stick to a small image, such as a decorative horizontal bar or logo.
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7
Click Close Header & Footer. It’s the red-and-white «X» icon on the far right side of the Design tab. This closes the header and footer editor, which shows you how it will really look on your document.
- If you added a header and want to add a footer as well (or vice-versa), return to the Insert tab and select Header or Footer as necessary.
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1
Double-click the header or footer. If you don’t want the header or footer you created to appear on the first page (or until a certain page you specify), use this method. Start by double-clicking the header or footer on the first page to open it for editing.
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2
Check the box next to «Different First Page.» It’s in the Options panel on the Design tab (PC) or Header & Footer tab (Mac), which opens automatically. This removes the header or footer from the first page, making the second page of your document the new Page 1.
- If you’d like, you can select Different Odd & Even Pages to place different headers/footers on even and odd pages. For example, if you want odd pages to contain the title of your document and even pages to display a page number.
- The Show Document Text option just toggles the actual text of your document on or off so can see what the header or footer looks like without the document.
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3
Click Close Header & Footer. It’s the red-and-white «X» icon on the far right side of the Design or Header & Footer tab. This saves your changes.
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Add New Question
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Question
How can I put my name in a footer on the left on every page and put the page number on the right, having it change on each page?
Malsha Ranawaka
Community Answer
There are pre-designed footers like this available. If this is not in your list, simply select a footer design that has two text fields on the left and right. Then go to «edit footer» mode and put the name on the left. Select the text field on the right. In the «Header & Footer Tools» tab, select «Quick Parts.» From the dropdown, select «Fields.» This will open a dialog box. Select «Page» from the field names list. Select a page number format and click «OK.» You will get an updating page number field on the right.
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Question
How do I insert a line above the footer?
Malsha Ranawaka
Community Answer
Go to Edit Footer, and place your cursor somewhere in the first line of words you have in the footer. Select the «Home» tab. In the «Paragraph» section, select the «Borders» dropdown. From the dropdown menu, select «Top Border», and you will get a border above the footer.
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Question
How do I edit a horizontal line in MS Word 2007?
Malsha Ranawaka
Community Answer
Double click on the line, or right click it and select «Format Horizontal Line» to get the dialog box with edit options.
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About This Article
Article SummaryX
1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click Header or Footer.
3. Click a header or filter option, or select Edit Header/Footer to start from scatch.
4. Click Page Number to add automatic numbering.
5. Add text.
6. Insert dates, document info, quick parts, and/or images.
7. Click Close Header & Footer.
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,489 times.
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Sometimes you’ve got to make longer documents—such as business reports, school papers, and book-length materials. Microsoft Word headers, footers, and page numbers organize the document and make it easier for your readers to navigate.
Here are a few good reasons to use Microsoft Word headers, footers, and page numbers:
- Find a page in the document. Imagine trying to find a specific passage in a 250-page document without page numbers! Microsoft Word page numbers update automatically as you add or delete pages. Plus, they’re easy to work with. You’ve got no excuse for not using this useful feature.
- Identify what you’re reading. Headers and footers also help the reader situate themselves in the document. For example, a glance at the footer can remind them that they’re reading Chapter 16 of The Greatest Novel Ever Written.
- Brand the document. Branding is another reason to use headers and footers. Add your organization’s name and logo. And, if you export your Word Doc into a PDF, you can even make the headers and footers clickable (or hyperlinked) to your website.
Insert Microsoft Word headers, footers, and page numbers in your document or start with a Microsoft Word template that includes pre-formatted headers, footers, and page numbers. Envato Elements and GraphicRiver are great sources of templates for Microsoft Word.
In this article, you’ll learn how to work with headers, footers, and page numbers in Microsoft Word. So, you and your readers can reap all their benefits. Let’s get started!
Note: I’m on Microsoft Word for Mac version 16.33. The steps may differ slightly depending on what version of Microsoft Word you’re using.
Your Quick Start Guide to Add Headers, Footers and Page Numbers (Video)
Are you ready to learn more about using headers, footers, and page numbers in Microsoft Word? Watch this quick screencast to learn all about Word headers and footers.
Or, study the complete written tutorial below.
Work With Headers and Footers in MS Word
Adding a Microsoft Word header or footer is quite intuitive. Follow these steps:
1. How to Insert Headers and Footers
To add a header, go to Insert > Header.
Choose the built-in format you want to use from the menu that appears. You’ve got the option of a blank header, a blank header with three columns, or other built-in styles.
Choose the style you wish to use.
Follow the same steps to add a Microsoft Word footer, but click Insert > Footer instead to get started.
2. How to Insert Text in a Header or Footer
Double-click into the header or footer to open it. Replace the placeholder text, if there’s one, with your own. Otherwise, type your text.
Then, format header or footer text to make it look the way you want. Select the text, then click on the Home tab. From there, change the font, font size, color, and other settings.
To close the header or footer, under the Header & Footer tab, click the Close Header and Footer button. Or, double-click outside the header or footer.
Note: When the header or footer is closed, it’s locked and can’t be edited. Double-click on the header or footer section to open the Header & Footer view.
3. How to Insert the Date or Time in a Header or Footer
To add a date or time in a header or footer, click Insert > Date & Time.
The Date and Time dialog opens.
Choose the format you wish you use. Check Update automatically, if you want the date and time to update each time you modify the document.
4. How to Insert a Logo in a Header or Footer
Aside from text, you can also insert images in a Microsoft Word header or footer. This is a good opportunity for you to brand your document by including your logo.
To insert a logo, open the header or footer. Double-click at the top (for header) or bottom (for footer) of the document. In this example, I’m adding a logo in the footer.
Click Insert > Pictures > Photo Browser.
Locate the logo on your computer, select the file, then click Insert.
The logo is now in the footer.
Double-click outside the footer or click on the Close Header and Footer button in the ribbon to close it.
Work With Microsoft Word Page Numbers
Page numbers are a common element to include in either the header or footer of your document. To learn how to number pages in Microsoft Word, follow these instructions:
1. How to Insert Page Numbers to a Header or Footer in Word
With the header or footer open, click Insert > Page Numbers ….
The Page Numbers dialog opens:
Select the settings you want to use. Decide on the page number’s position and alignment.
There’s also a radio button to Show number on first page. By default, this button is unchecked. This means the first page of your document can be its cover, and the page number won’t be displayed on it. If you want the page number to appear on the first page, check this button.
From here, you can also change the format of the page numbers. With the Header & Footer tab open, click Page Number > Format Page Numbers ….
This opens the page numbering format box, where you can make other settings:
- Number format allows you to choose from Roman numerals or Arabic numerals or letters
- Include chapter number, if you’ve set up chapters in your document and want to include them in the page numbering, then check this button.
- Page numbering
- Continue from previous section continues the page count from the previous page.
- Start at ___ lets you restart the page count at any number.
After making your settings, click OK to apply.
2. How to Make Page Numbering Not Appear on the First Page
If you want the first page of your document or section to be the cover page, then you wouldn’t want it to have a page number. To hide the page number from the first page of a document or section, do the following:
Click Insert > Page Numbers ….
The Page Numbers dialog opens. Uncheck the Show number on first page radio button.
Click OK.
3. How to Number Odd and Even Pages Differently
By default, headers and footers appear the same way on odd and even pages, like this:
But sometimes, you may want odd and even pages to appear differently. An example is in the case of books or magazines, where you want the page number to be on the outer edge of the spread when the (printed) document is open.
This is possible in Microsoft Word, where you can format headers, footers, and page numbers differently on odd and even pages.
To do this, double-click inside the header or footer. This opens the Header & Footer ribbon. Check the button for Different Odd & Even Pages.
Edit your odd and even headers/footers separately. When you’re done, double-click outside the header/footer to close.
Now, the positions of the logo and page numbers are different for odd and even pages on my document:
4. How to Add Different Numbers and Formats to Different Sections
You can also use different page numbers and formats for different sections of your document. For example, in my document I want the page numbers in the Introduction section to be Roman numerals.
First, make sure you’ve broken your document into sections.
To define a new section, place the cursor where you want a new section to begin. Then, click Insert > Break > Section Break. Choose whether you want the section to begin on the next page, continue on the same page as the previous section, or begin on either an odd or even page.
In this example, I inserted section breaks before and after the Introduction to make it a separate section from the rest of my document.
To double check if you’ve inserted section breaks where you want them, click on the Show/Hide Paragraph button on the ribbon. This displays how your document into paragraphs as well as sections.
Now, you’re ready to format the page numbers in a specific section.
Double-click in the footer part of the page to open the Header & Footer view. Click inside the footer you want to format.
On the Header & Footer ribbon, click Page Number > Format Page Numbers.
Change the format to the settings you wish to use.
Click OK.
5. How to Control Page Numbers Using Fields
So far, we’ve been using Microsoft Word’s built-in formats for page numbers. For more control over how the page numbers display, use fields.
Double-click on the top or bottom of page to open the Header & Footer view. In the header or footer, place the cursor where you want to insert the page number.
From the Header & Footer ribbon, click on the Field button.
The Field dialog box opens. To add a page number, scroll down Categories, and select Numbering. Then, under Field names, select Page.
Click Options to change the number formatting. Make the selections you want to use, then click OK.
6. How to Fix Broken Page Numbers
Sometimes as the document gets larger and new pages and sections are added, page numbering can break. Below are two common page number errors and how to fix them.
Example 1: Page number starts over at 1 in the middle of the document
This can happen when you’ve defined a section, formatted its page number to restart at 1, then inserted a section break again.
Solution:
Examine the section breaks in your document by clicking on the Show/Hide Paragraph button.
Check how the page numbers are formatted in the section, and make sure to uncheck Start at:___.
Example 2: Word is counting the cover page as page 1
The first page of the document is usually the cover page as well. Naturally, we don’t want it to be included in the page count. But what if your document does? Here’s one way to fix that.
Solution:
Insert a section break after the cover: click Insert > Break > Section break. Select one of the options that appear.
Check the button for Different First Page.
On the page where you want the page count to begin, go to Page Number > Format Page Numbers. Check the radio button for Start at:___. Type the page number that you want the page count to begin at.
Work With Templates With Header and Footer Designs for Microsoft Word
If you’d rather not make any design and formatting decisions, the easiest thing to do is to start with a Microsoft Word template. A good template comes with header, footer, and page numbers all pre-formatted. These will automatically update as you add or remove pages.
Select a Word template like this e-book template for Microsoft Word that I found in Envato Elements.
If you want to edit the header, footer, or page number, click into the header/footer to open it. Make the changes you want to make following the relevant steps above.
When you’re done, double-click outside the header/footer to close it.
Work With Other Header Options and Change Designs
Microsoft Word headers and footers also come with built-in designs for you to choose from.
To select one, click in the header or footer. Click the Header or Footer button on the ribbon. Scroll down to see all the available options. Choose a design from the selections that appear.
Note: This will override any header or footer and page number settings you’ve already made.
Use Microsoft Word Header, Footer, and Page Numbers to Give Readers a Good Experience
By following the steps in this article, even beginning users of Microsoft Word can add headers, footers, and page numbers in their documents. Or, if you’d rather not worry about formatting these page elements, use a Microsoft Word template instead of starting from scratch.
Envato Elements is a wonderful source of professionally designed Microsoft Word templates. Your subscription includes unlimited downloads of everything you need to produce a high-caliber document, from custom fonts to stock photos.
To get templates a la carte, then GraphicRiver is another source of great Microsoft Word templates for you to explore.
Whether creating your own layout or starting with a template, Microsoft Word headers, footers, and page numbers help you provide a better experience for your readers. They’ll be able to more easily navigate the document and find the pages or sections they need.
You can also make the most of headers and footers to brand the document. Add your logo and organization name, as well as the author’s name, to increase brand recognition and establish your thought leadership.
What are your tips for using Word in long documents? Leave a comment and let us know.
This tutorial shows how to insert headers and footers in Microsoft Word. We’ll also look at how to edit and delete existing headers and footers.
Quick Links:
- How to Insert Headers and Footers
- How to Edit Headers and Footers
- How to Delete Headers and Footers
If you want to insert page numbers in headers or footers, please see “How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word.”
If you want to insert headers or footers in specific chapters or sections, please see “How to Insert Headers and Footers on Specific Pages in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac).”
This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
Watch more than 200 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.
The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps will also work in Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010. However, your interface may look slightly different in those earlier versions of the software.
Please note that Word provides many ways to work with headers and footers. Therefore, this tutorial is limited to the steps I believe will be the most useful for the majority of people.
- Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.
- Select the Header or Footer button in the Header & Footer group.
- Select a built-in style from the drop-down menu.
After you select a style, Word will automatically switch from the Insert tab to the Header & Footer tab. This tab only appears when you are working with headers or footers.
- Select the placeholder text, and then type your header or footer information over the placeholder text.
Alternatively, select Date & Time in the Insert group to insert an automatically updating date and time.
- (Optional) Select Different First Page in the Options group to create a different header or footer or no header or footer on the first page.
5.a. Type the information into the First Page Header space. You can also select the Header or Footer button to select a built-in style (see figure 3).
5.b. Leave the space blank if you don’t want a header or footer on the first page.
- (Optional) Select Different Odd & Even Pages in the Options group to create different headers or footers on odd and even pages.
6.a. Select the Next and Previous buttons in the Navigation group to toggle between odd and even pages.
6.b. Type the information into the Odd Page Header and Even Page Header spaces. You can also select the Header or Footer buttons to choose different built-in styles for odd and even pages (see figure 3).
- (Optional) Enter new numbers into the Header from Top and Footer from Bottom text boxes in the Position group to customize the amount of space above the header or below the footer.
Pro Tip: Tabs for Headers and Footers
Tabs placed on the ruler while working on headers or footers won’t appear on the ruler for the body content after you close the Header & Footer tab.
- Select the Close Header & Footer button when you are finished.
The Header & Footer tab will no longer be visible.
- Double-click the header or footer to open the Header & Footer tab. Alternatively, you can right-click the header or footer and select the Edit Header or Edit Footer button.
- The Header & Footer tab will open, and your cursor will automatically move into the header or footer space where you can make adjustments, as necessary.
- Double-click the header or footer you want to delete (i.e., First Page, Odd Pages, or Even Pages). Alternatively, you can right-click the header or footer and select the Edit Header or Edit Footer button (see figure 11).
- Select the Header or Footer button in the Header & Footer tab. (Note that these buttons are in a different location in the Header & Footer tab than in the Insert tab.)
- Select Remove Header or Remove Footer from the drop-down menu.
This method will only delete the type of header or footer that you selected. For example, if your document has different headers on odd and even pages and you selected a header on an odd page, only the odd page headers will be deleted. However, if your document has the same header on every page, all the headers will be removed.
Related Resources
How to Add Headers and Footers to PDFs in Adobe Acrobat
How to Insert Footnotes and Endnotes in Microsoft Word
How to Insert Citations in Microsoft Word
Updated January 21, 2023
Lesson 19: Working with Headers and Footers
/en/word2010/styles-and-themes/content/
Introduction
You can make your document look professional and polished by utilizing the header and footer sections. The header is a section of the document that appears in the top margin, while the footer is a section of the document that appears in the bottom margin. Headers and footers generally contain information such as the page number, date, and document name.
In this lesson, you will learn how to insert and edit headers and footers.
Headers and footers
Headers and footers can help keep longer documents organized and make them easier to read. Text entered in the header or footer will appear on each page of the document.
To insert a header or footer:
- Select the Insert tab.
- Click either the Header or Footer command. A drop-down menu will appear.
- From the drop-down menu, select Blank to insert a blank header or footer, or choose one of the built-in options.
Inserting a header
- The Design tab will appear on the Ribbon, and the header or footer will appear in the document.
- Type the desired information into the header or footer.
Typing text into a header
- When you’re finished, click Close Header and Footer in the Design tab, or hit the Esc key.
After you close the header or footer, it will still be visible, but it will be locked. To edit it again, just double-click anywhere on the header or footer, and it will become unlocked.
To insert the date or time into a header or footer:
- Double-click anywhere on the header or footer to unlock it. The Design tab will appear.
- From the Design tab, click the Date & Time command.
The Date & Time command
- Select a date format in the dialog box that appears.
Selecting a date format
- Place a check mark in the Update Automatically box if you would like it to always reflect the current date. Otherwise, it will not change when the document is opened at a later date.
- Click OK. The date and time now appears in the document.
To remove content controls:
By default, some of the built-in headers and footers have snippets of text that are called content controls. Content controls can contain information such as the document title or company name, and they allow you to enter this information into a form field.
Form fields
However, you’ll often just want to type a normal header without any content controls. To do this, you’ll need to remove any content control fields from the header or footer.
- With the header or footer section active, right-click the content control field you want to remove. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Click Remove Content Control. The content control field will disappear.
Removing Content Control
Other header and footer options
There are many other header and footer options you can use to design these sections of your document. You can review the Header & Footer Tools Design tab to view and explore these options.
The Design Tab
Adding page numbers
Word can automatically label each page with a page number and place it in a header, footer, or side margin. You can add page numbers to an existing header or footer, or you can insert page numbers into a new header or footer.
To add page numbers to an existing header or footer:
- Select the header or footer. The Design tab will appear.
- Place the insertion point where you want the page number to be. You can place it anywhere except inside a content control field.
The insertion point
- From the Design tab, select the Page Number command.
- Click Current Position, then select the desired style. The page number will appear in the document.
Selecting a page number
If you’ve already typed information into your header or footer, it’s important to place the page number at the Current Position to avoid losing anything. If you select a page number from Top of Page or Bottom of Page, it will delete anything you’ve already added to the header or footer.
To insert page numbers into a new header or footer:
- From the Insert tab, click Page Number. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Select the desired page number style, and it will appear in your document.
Inserting a page number at the top of the page
To hide the page number on the first page:
In some documents, you may not want the first page to show the page number. You can hide the first page number without affecting the rest of the pages.
- Select the header or footer that contains the page number.
- From the Design tab, place a check mark next to Different First Page. The header and footer will disappear from the first page. If you want, you can type something new in the header or footer, and it will only affect the first page.
Hiding the page number on the first page
If you’re unable to select Different First Page, it may be because an object within the header or footer is selected. Click in an empty area within the header or footer to make sure nothing is selected.
To format page numbers:
- Select the header or footer that contains the page number.
- From the Design tab, select the Page Number command.
- Click Format Page Numbers.
Clicking Format Page Numbers
- From the dialog box, select the desired Number format.
Selecting a number format
- Next to Start at, enter the number you want the page numbers to start with.
Selecting a starting page number
If you’ve created a page number in the side margin, it’s still considered part of the header or footer. You won’t be able to select the page number unless the header or footer is selected.
An alternative way to modify your page numbering is by using section breaks. To learn how to do this, read our article on Modifying Page Numbers in Word.
Challenge!
- Create a new Word document.
- Create a blank header.
- Add your name in the header of a document.
- Right-align the text in the header.
- Select a built-in footer.
/en/word2010/reviewing-documents/content/