How to Add a Header in Microsoft Word
Part 1 of 2:
Adding a Header
- 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.
- Click Blank Document. This will open a new document in Word.
- Click the Insert tab. You'll see it near the top of the Word window, directly to the right of the Home tab.
- 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.
- Click a header option. 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.
- Type in your header's text. This is the text that will appear at the top of every page.
- Click Close Header and Footer. Doing so will apply it to your document; you'll see your header text at the top of each page.
Part 2 of 2:
Editing Header Settings
- Double-click your header text. Doing so will open the Header options menu in the bar near the top of the Word window.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
- Double-click the "Header" tab. It's below your header's text; doing so will save your changes and close the header section.
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