How to Add a Header in Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word., Click Blank Document., Click the Insert tab., Click Header., Click a header option., Type in your header's text., Click Close Header and Footer., Double-click your header text., Review the header's basic settings., Click and...

12 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 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.
  2. Step 2: Click Blank Document.

    This will open a new document in Word. , You'll see it near the top of the Word window, directly to the right of the Home tab. , 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. , Doing so will open the Header options menu in the bar near the top of the Word window. , 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. , 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). , 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.
  3. Step 3: Click the Insert tab.

  4. Step 4: Click Header.

  5. Step 5: Click a header option.

  6. Step 6: Type in your header's text.

  7. Step 7: Click Close Header and Footer.

  8. Step 8: Double-click your header text.

  9. Step 9: Review the header's basic settings.

  10. Step 10: Click and drag your cursor across the header text.

  11. Step 11: Click the Home tab.

  12. Step 12: Double-click the "Header" tab.

Detailed Guide

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. , You'll see it near the top of the Word window, directly to the right of the Home tab. , 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. , Doing so will open the Header options menu in the bar near the top of the Word window. , 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. , 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). , 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.

About the Author

J

Judith Adams

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