How to Add a Header in Microsoft Word

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Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

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This wikiHow teaches you how to add a repeating line of text to the top of each page of a Microsoft Word document.

Things You Should Know

Adding a header in Microsoft Word will add text to the top of your pages.
When adding a header, you can choose between pre-made templates or blank.
In Header settings, you can toggle "Different First Page" and "Header Position".

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Adding a Header

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1
Open Microsoft Word. It's a blue app with a white "W" on it.
- You can also open an existing document by double-clicking it.
This will open a new document in Word.

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You'll see it near the top of the Word window, directly to the right of the Home tab.
4
Click Header. It's in the "Header & Footer" section that's on the right side of the row of options near the top of the screen. You'll see a list of header options in a drop-down menu.
- These options will vary depending on your Office subscription type and version of Word.
In most cases, you'll just click the Blank option, since it will apply to the majority of Word documents necessitating a header. Selecting an option will add it to your document.
This is the text that will appear at the top of every page.
Doing so will apply it to your document; you'll see your header text at the top of each page.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Editing Header Settings

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Doing so will open the Header options menu in the bar near the top of the Word window.
2
Review the header's basic settings. There are a couple of aspects of the header that you can edit in the "Options" and "Position" sections:
- Different First Page - Check this box to customize your document's first page's header. It will appear different than the header on the rest of the pages.
- Header Position - Change the number in the "Header from Top" box to raise or lower the header's position on the page.
3
Click and drag your cursor across the header text. This will select it, which will allow you to modify it as needed.
- If you're using the "Different First Page" option, you'll need to do this on a page other than the first for your changes to apply across your document (first page aside).
4
Click the Home tab. Doing so will allow you to edit the header by using options in the following sections:
- Font - Edit your text's font, size, color, and general formatting (e.g., bolding or underlining).
- Paragraph - Change your header's orientation (e.g., centered).
It's below your header's text; doing so will save your changes and close the header section.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I make the header show up in the document?

Community Answer

To make a header appear, double-click (left mouse key) the highest part of the "page" and a new box will appear, with a dotted line indicating the "header" boundaries. You can then select the font/sizing/etc. for the header. When you've finished writing your header, double-click (left mouse key again) to return to the normal page, and leave the header at the top. Note that the header will fade out slightly and will seem to have a greyish tint. Your header will appear at the top of every page.

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Question

How can I have page numbers inserted sequentially?

Community Answer

Once you add page numbers in the header options, they will automatically be inserted sequentially.

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Question

How do I add another header in Microsoft Word if I already have one?

Community Answer

Go to the "Design" tab in the menu across the top. You'll see an option to "Link to Previous." That is where you turn headers on and off.

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