Headers in Microsoft Word are useful for displaying important information - like document titles, author names, dates, or page numbers - at the top of each page. They help make your documents look professional and organized.
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to add, customize, and manage headers in Microsoft Word. We'll also cover how to insert page numbers into the header, create different headers for different sections, and even include the file name or path using tools like Kutools. For extra value, we’ll briefly cover footers too.
Microsoft Word offers several ways to insert a header depending on what you need. In this section, you'll learn how to add a basic header using built-in tools, insert page numbers as part of the header, and use the Kutools add-in to include a file path or file name.
Insert a header from the Header menu
In your Word document, click on Insert > Header (or Footer).
Choose a built-in layout (like Blank, Austin, or Banded), or click Edit Header to start from scratch. Tip: Some built-in header styles include page numbers.
Type the text you want in the header.
To exit the header, click Close Header and Footer on the ribbon, or press Esc.
Insert page number as header
You can place page numbers in the header (or footer) area in two main ways:
Option A: Add Page Numbers Directly
To combine your own text with a live page number:
Go to the Insert tab.
Click Page Number > Top of Page (or Bottom of Page).
Choose a format from the list, such as Plain Number 1 under the “Simple” section or Bold Numbers 1 under the “Page X of Y” section.
This inserts the page number into the header automatically.
Option B: Add Header Text and Page Number on the Same Line
To combine your own text with a live page number:
Insert a live page number header using Insert > Page Number > Top of Page (as shown in Option A).
Place the cursor before or after the page number in the header, and type your custom text.
This creates a header with both your text and a dynamic page number on the same line.
Insert file path or file name as header using Kutools
With Kutools for Word, you can easily insert the file path or file name into your header in just a few clicks.
Kutools for Word, equipped with AI 🤖, offers over 100 handy features to simplify your tasks.
Choose either File name or File Path you want to insert into the header.
Select Header (or Footer) as the target location.
Set the alignment (Left, Right, or Middle).
Click OK.
As shown below, the file name is inserted into the header, aligned to the left as specified.
Kutools for Word is the ultimate Word add-in that streamlines your work and boosts your document processing skills. Get It Now!
Edit and Customize a Header
Once you’ve added a header, Microsoft Word gives you plenty of tools to personalize it. You can add or change text, modify fonts and colors, insert lines, shapes, and even add elements like the current date or a company logo.
Note: The steps for editing a footer are almost identical - just double-click the footer area instead of the header.
Add extra text to the header
Double-click the header area of any page to activate it.
Place your cursor where you want to add or change text.
Type your content, such as a section title, author name, or document subtitle.
Click Close Header and Footer on the ribbon or press Esc to exit.
Customize header text and colors
Double-click the header area, then select the text you want to style or modify.
Use the Home tab to apply formatting:
Change font, size, and color.
Make text bold, italic, or underlined.
Adjust alignment (left, center, right).
And more…
Insert lines, shapes, and more elements like Date & Time
Beyond basic text, Word lets you enhance your header with visual and functional elements. You can add lines or shapes for layout and styling, insert the current date and time or other elements like a company logo. These additions help organize information and give your document a more polished, professional look.
Add lines and shapes to the header
To enhance your header visually, you can add simple design elements like lines or shapes for separation, decoration, or layout.
Double-click the header area at the top of any page to activate it.
Go to Insert > Shapes.
Choose a shape, such as a Line, Rectangle, or Arrow.
Click and drag to draw the shape in the header area.
Use the Shape Format tab to customize the shape's appearance:
In the Shape Styles group, you can change the fill color, outline, thickness, or apply visual effects.
In the Arrange group, use alignment, position, and layering tools to place the shape exactly where you want it.
Add Date & Time, pictures and other elements into the header
Once the header area is active, you can enhance it using the tools in the Insert group under the Header & Footer tab - such as date & time, pictures like a company logo, and document info.
Date & Time:
Click Date & Time, choose a format, and click OK. Check "Update automatically" if needed.
Document Info:
Expand the Document Info menu to add the document title, author, file name, or other information about your document into the header.
Tip: For more options, select Field to access a full list of dynamic elements - such as creation date or total editing time - that automatically update based on your document’s properties.
Quick Parts:
Insert reusable fields or content using the Quick Parts options, such as page fields or AutoText.
Tip: For more options, select Field to access a full list of dynamic elements - such as creation date or total editing time - that automatically update based on your document’s properties.
Pictures:
Add a logo or any image by selecting Pictures or Online Pictures, then resize and position it as needed.
Do More in Less Time with AI-Enhanced Kutools for Word
Kutools for Word isn't just a set of tools - it's a smart solution designed to boost your productivity. With AI-driven capabilities and the most essential features, Kutools helps you accomplish more in less time:
Create, refine, translate, summarize and secure documents effortlessly.
Improve grammar, clarity, and tone as you write in real time.
Rephrase and translate content with no layout or formatting changes.
Ask how to complete a task - like removing section breaks - and the AI will guide you or do it for you.
All tools work seamlessly inside Word, always within reach.
Word offers advanced options that let you control how headers appear across different parts of your document. This is especially useful for formal reports, books, or any document with multiple sections.
Note: These advanced settings also apply to footers - Word lets you customize them separately for the first page or different sections, just like headers.
Set different first page header
If your document has a cover page or title page, you may not want the header (or page number) to appear on that first page - or display a unique header just for it. To do that, follow these steps:
Double-click the header area at any page to activate it.
On the Header & Footer tab, check the box labeled Different First Page.
Navigate to the first page - you’ll see the header is labeled “First Page Header” and appears empty. You can leave it blank or add a custom header specific to this first page.
Different headers for sections/chapters
If you're working on a document with multiple chapters or sections, such as a report, thesis, or book, you may want each section to have its own unique header. Word allows this using section breaks and the Link to Previous setting.
Place your cursor where a new section should begin.
Go to Layout > Breaks > Next Page (under Section Breaks).
Double-click the header in the new section. You will see a “Same as Previous” tag.
Click the “Link to Previous” button to break the connection with the earlier section - the tag will disappear, allowing independent editing.
Now you can create a custom header for this section without affecting previous ones.
Note: If your document has multiple sections, repeat these steps for each one to create separate headers throughout.
Remove a Header
To delete the header (or footer) from your document, there are two options:
Go to Insert > Header (or Footer) > Remove Header (or Remove Footer).
Double-click the header (or footer) area, delete the content manually, and click Close Header and Footer.
Note: If your document has multiple sections with different headers, this action only affects the header in the section where your cursor is placed. You’ll need to remove the header individually in each section.
Above is all the relevant content related to using headers in Microsoft Word. I hope you find the tutorial helpful. If you're looking to explore more Word tips and tricks, please click here to access our extensive collection of tutorials.
