Footer and header microsoft word

Insert a header or footer

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  1. Go to Insert > Header or Footer.

  2. Choose the header style you want to use.

    Tip: Some built-in header and footer designs include page numbers.

  3. 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.

  4. To eliminate a header—like deleting it on the title page—select it and then check the Different First Page box. 

  5. 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

  1. Go to Insert > Header or Footer.

    On the Insert tab, Header and Footer are highlighted

  2. 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.

  3. When you’re done, select Close Header and Footer or press Esc.

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  1. On the Layout tab, under View, click Page Layout.
    Layout tab, View group

  2. On the Layout tab, under Page Setup, click Header & Footer.
    Layout tab, Page Setup group

  3. 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.

  1. Go to Insert > Header & Footer.
    .

  2. Add or header or footer text. 

  3. Use the Options menu for additional customization. 
    .

  4. To exit, select Close Header and Footer or press Esc

  5. 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.
  1. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 1

    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.
  2. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 2

    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. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 3

    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.
  4. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 4

    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]
  5. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 5

    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.

  6. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 6

    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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
  7. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 7

    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. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 8

    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.

  2. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 9

    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.
  3. Image titled Insert a Custom Header or Footer in Microsoft Word Step 10

    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

  • 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

    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.

  • Question

    How do I insert a line above the footer?

    Malsha Ranawaka

    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.

  • Question

    How do I edit a horizontal line in MS Word 2007?

    Malsha Ranawaka

    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.

Did this summary help you?

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. 

Microsoft Word templates from Envato ElementsMicrosoft Word templates from Envato ElementsMicrosoft Word templates from Envato Elements

Envato Elements has thousands of Microsoft Word templates available for unlimited downloads.

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

Microsoft Word header - insertMicrosoft Word header - insertMicrosoft Word header - insert

How to add a header in Microsoft Word

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.

Microsoft Word header and footer built-in stylesMicrosoft Word header and footer built-in stylesMicrosoft Word header and footer built-in styles

Header (or footer) designs for Microsoft Word

Choose the style you wish to use.

Microsoft Word header addedMicrosoft Word header addedMicrosoft Word header added

Microsoft Word header

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.

Insert text in a Microsoft header or footerInsert text in a Microsoft header or footerInsert text in a Microsoft header or footer

How to add text to a header

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.

Format text in a Microsoft Word header or footerFormat text in a Microsoft Word header or footerFormat text in a Microsoft Word header or footer

Format header text

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.

Close header or footer in Microsoft WordClose header or footer in Microsoft WordClose header or footer in Microsoft Word

Close the Microsoft Word 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

Insert date and time in Microsoft WordInsert date and time in Microsoft WordInsert date and time in Microsoft Word

Insert the date or time

The Date and Time dialog opens.

Date and Time format in Microsoft WordDate and Time format in Microsoft WordDate and Time format in Microsoft Word

Format the time.

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.

Microsoft Word date and time in headerMicrosoft Word date and time in headerMicrosoft Word date and time in header

Set date and time to automatically update

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.

Insert logo in Microsoft Word footerInsert logo in Microsoft Word footerInsert logo in Microsoft Word footer

Add a logo to a header or footer

Locate the logo on your computer, select the file, then click Insert.

Microsoft Word footer - insert a logoMicrosoft Word footer - insert a logoMicrosoft Word footer - insert a logo

Select a logo to add to the Microsoft Word header or footer

The logo is now in the footer.

Logo in Microsoft Word footerLogo in Microsoft Word footerLogo in Microsoft Word footer

Microsoft Word footer with logo

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 …. 

Insert page numbers - Microsoft WordInsert page numbers - Microsoft WordInsert page numbers - Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word Insert>Page Numbers

The Page Numbers dialog opens:

Microsoft Word - page numbersMicrosoft Word - page numbersMicrosoft Word - page numbers

Choose page number settings

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 …

Format page numbers in Microsoft WordFormat page numbers in Microsoft WordFormat page numbers in Microsoft Word

How to number pages on Microsoft Word

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 ….

Microsoft Word page numbersMicrosoft Word page numbersMicrosoft Word page numbers

Microsoft Word page numbers

The Page Numbers dialog opens. Uncheck the Show number on first page radio button.

Show number on first page - Microsoft WordShow number on first page - Microsoft WordShow number on first page - Microsoft Word

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:

Microsoft Word - odd and even pagesMicrosoft Word - odd and even pagesMicrosoft Word - odd and even pages

In Microsoft Word you can have different headers or footers for left and right pages.

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.

Different Odd  Even Pages - Microsoft WordDifferent Odd  Even Pages - Microsoft WordDifferent Odd  Even Pages - Microsoft Word

Use Microsoft Word check boxes to set up different headers or footers. 

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:

Microsoft Word different headers or footersMicrosoft Word different headers or footersMicrosoft Word different headers or footers

Note that the odd page footer is different than the even page footer.

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.

Insert Section Break - Microsoft WordInsert Section Break - Microsoft WordInsert Section Break - Microsoft Word

Use section breaks to determine where a section begins

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.

HideShow Paragraph Breaks in Microsoft WordHideShow Paragraph Breaks in Microsoft WordHideShow Paragraph Breaks in Microsoft Word

Show/Hide paragraph breaks

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

Format Page Numbers in document section - Microsoft WordFormat Page Numbers in document section - Microsoft WordFormat Page Numbers in document section - Microsoft Word

Format page numbers in a document section

Change the format to the settings you wish to use.

Change section page number format - Microsoft WordChange section page number format - Microsoft WordChange section page number format - Microsoft Word

Change MS Word format settings

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. 

Microsoft Word field buttonMicrosoft Word field buttonMicrosoft Word field button

Use a Field to set up a page number

The Field dialog box opens. To add a page number, scroll down Categories, and select Numbering. Then, under Field names, select Page.

Field categories and names - Microsoft WordField categories and names - Microsoft WordField categories and names - Microsoft Word

Define the page number settings for the field

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. 

Microsoft Word - Show paragraph and section breaksMicrosoft Word - Show paragraph and section breaksMicrosoft Word - Show paragraph and section breaks

Section breaks can help you troubleshoot your document

Check how the page numbers are formatted in the section, and make sure to uncheck Start at:___.

How to fix broken page numbers in Microsoft WordHow to fix broken page numbers in Microsoft WordHow to fix broken page numbers in Microsoft Word

How to fix broken page numbers in Microsoft Word

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.

Microsoft Word - Insert section breakMicrosoft Word - Insert section breakMicrosoft Word - Insert section break

Inserting a section break

Check the button for Different First Page.

Different first page - Microsoft WordDifferent first page - Microsoft WordDifferent first page - Microsoft Word

Setting up a 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.

Restart page number in Microsoft WordRestart page number in Microsoft WordRestart page number in Microsoft Word

Restart page number in Microsoft Word

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.

Microsoft Word template with formatted footersMicrosoft Word template with formatted footersMicrosoft Word template with formatted footers

Good Microsoft Word templates like this one from Envato Elements have pre-formatted headers and footers.

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. 

Edit the footerEdit the footerEdit the footer

You can change the template header or footer

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. 

Built-in header and footer designs in Microsoft WordBuilt-in header and footer designs in Microsoft WordBuilt-in header and footer designs in Microsoft Word

Pre-built header and footer designs for Microsoft Word

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.

Desktop computer monitor that says "How to Insert Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word"

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.

  1. Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.

Insert tab in Word 365

Figure 1. Insert tab
  1. Select the Header or Footer button in the Header & Footer group.

Header and Footer buttons in the Insert tab in Word 365

Figure 2. Header and Footer buttons in the Insert tab
  1. Select a built-in style from the drop-down menu.

Built-in header styles in Word 365

Figure 3. Built-in styles

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.

  1. 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.

Header space in Word 365

Figure 4. Header space
  1. (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.

Different First Page option and header space in Word 365

Figure 5. Different First Page option and header space
  1. (Optional) Select Different Odd & Even Pages in the Options group to create different headers or footers on odd and even pages.

Different Odd and Even Pages header and footer option in Word 365

Figure 6. Different Odd & Even Pages option

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).

Previous and Next header and footer buttons in Word 365

Figure 7. Previous and Next buttons with Even Page Header space
  1. (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.

Header from Top and Footer from Button text boxes in Word 365

Figure 8. Header from Top and Footer from Button text boxes

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.

Ruler with tabs in Word 365

Figure 9. Ruler with tabs
  1. Select the Close Header & Footer button when you are finished.

Close Header and Footer button in Word 365

Figure 10. Close Header and Footer button

The Header & Footer tab will no longer be visible.

  1. 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.

Edit Header button in Word 365

Figure 11. Edit Header button
  1. 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.
  1. 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).
  2. 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.)

Header and Footer buttons in the Header and Footer tab in Word 365

Figure 12. Header and Footer buttons in the Header & Footer tab
  1. Select Remove Header or Remove Footer from the drop-down menu.

Remove Header option in Word 365

Figure 13. Remove Header option

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

Lesson 19

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:

  1. Select the Insert tab.
  2. Click either the Header or Footer command. A drop-down menu will appear.
  3. 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 Inserting a header

  4. The Design tab will appear on the Ribbon, and the header or footer will appear in the document.
  5. Type the desired information into the header or footer.

    Typing text into a header Typing text into a header

  6. 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:

  1. Double-click anywhere on the header or footer to unlock it. The Design tab will appear.
  2. From the Design tab, click the Date & Time command.

    The Date & Time command The Date & Time command

  3. Select a date format in the dialog box that appears.

    Selecting a date format Selecting a date format

  4. 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.
  5. 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 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.

  1. With the header or footer section active, right-click the content control field you want to remove. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. Click Remove Content Control. The content control field will disappear.

    Removing Content Control 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 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:

  1. Select the header or footer. The Design tab will appear.
  2. 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 pointThe insertion point

  3. From the Design tab, select the Page Number command.
  4. Click Current Position, then select the desired style. The page number will appear in the document.

    Selecting a page numberSelecting 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:

  1. From the Insert tab, click Page Number. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. Select the desired page number style, and it will appear in your document.

    Inserting a page number at the top of the pageInserting 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.

  1. Select the header or footer that contains the page number.
  2. 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 pageHiding 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:

  1. Select the header or footer that contains the page number.
  2. From the Design tab, select the Page Number command.
  3. Click Format Page Numbers.

    Clicking Format Page NumbersClicking Format Page Numbers

  4. From the dialog box, select the desired Number format.

    Selecting a number formatSelecting a number format

  5. Next to Start at, enter the number you want the page numbers to start with.

    Selecting a starting page numberSelecting 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!

  1. Create a new Word document.
  2. Create a blank header.
  3. Add your name in the header of a document.
  4. Right-align the text in the header.
  5. Select a built-in footer.

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