How to Put Different Headers and Footers on Different Pages in Word

Quick Tips

• The Header menu under the Insert tab lets you quickly add a simple or predefined type header and footer.
• You can add a different header and footer on odd and even pages.
• It is possible to add header and footer wherever it’s required manually.

Method 1: Add a Basic Header or Footer

Before creating different headers or footers for sections of your document, it’s better to know how to add them in the first place. Follow the instructions below to add a basic header or footer to your Word document:

Step 1: Open the Word document and head to the Insert tab. Locate the Header and Footer section and press the drop-down button beneath the Header or Footer.

Step 2: Choose a predefined header or footer template or select Blank from the Built-in list.

Step 3: Edit the header and footer section, and finally, click on Close Header and Footer in the Design tab to return to the main document.

Note: Double-click on the document’s main body to exit the header or footer.

Also Read: How to fix Microsoft Word not responding on Windows

Method 2: Prerequisites to Create Different Headers and Footers on Specific Pages

Creating different headers and footers on specific pages is easy. Still, before that, you must break your document into sections and unlink the header and footer from the previous page. Adhere to the steps below:

1. Inserting a Section Break

A section break is an invisible marker in your Word document that allows you to divide your content into separate sections. Here’s how to break the section in your Word file:

Step 1: Open the Word file and place your cursor at the point in your document where you’d like the new section to begin.

Step 2: Head to the Layout tab in the ribbon and click the downward arrow next to the Breaks button.

Step 3: Choose one of the below-mentioned breaks:

• Next Page: Initiates a new section on the next page. Use this to divide major portions of your document (e.g., chapters, significant topic shifts).
• Continuous: Starts a new section on the same page. This helps change page formatting elements (e.g., column layouts or page orientation).
• Even Page: It starts a new section on the next even-numbered page. Use this when formatting for printing or book-style layouts.
• Odd Page: This starts a new section on the next odd-numbered page. It is used similarly to the even page break.

2. Unlinking Headers and Footers From the Previous Section

Once you’ve inserted a section break in the Word document, follow the steps below to unlink the header and footer from the previous section:

Step 1: Double-click the header or footer area in your new section.

Step 2: Locate the Navigation section and click on Link to the Previous.

Note: Ensure that the Link to Previous button is not grayed out.

Method 3: Create Different Headers and Footers on Specific Pages

Now that you’ve inserted section breaks and unlinked your sections, you’re ready to customize. Here’s how to change the header and footer on specific pages you want.

Step 1: Double-click on the header or footers section to edit it.

Step 2: Write the details you want to enter in the header or footer section.

Method 4: How to Add a Different Header on Odd and Even Pages in Word

Step 1: In the Word document, click Insert in the top menu and press the drop-down button under Header or Footer.

Step 2: Choose Edit Header or Edit Footer, depending on what you want to modify.

Step 3: Check the box for Different Odd & Even Pages.

Step 4: Edit the header or footer for odd and even pages.

Step 5: Once done, press Ctrl + S to save your changes to the document.

Also Read: How to duplicate a Word document on any device

How to Add a Header or Footer on the First Page

When working on documents with distinct title pages or transitioning between different sections, adhere to the steps below to add a header or footer on the first page:

Step 1: Choose Edit Header or Edit Footer from the Header and Footer drop-down.

Step 2: Check the box for Different First Page.

Step 3: Type your first-page header or footer and other headers and footers on the rest of the pages. Ensure to save the changes.

Also Read: How to make all pictures of the same size in Microsoft Word

FAQs

1. Can I Have Different Headers and Footers Within the Same Section?

No, you can’t have different headers and footers within a single section in a Word document. Headers and footers are tied to sections, so you must divide your document into multiple sections.

2. Does Changing Headers and Footers on My Word Document Affect Its Alignment?

No, changing the headers and footers on your Word document doesn’t affect its alignment, as they reside in separate margins from the main body of your document.