How to Insert a Header or Footer

This article will show you how to properly insert a header or footer in your manuscript.

Occasionally an author manually types the page number, his or her name, the title of the book, or the chapter or section title at the top or the bottom of each page. This usually happens when the author is unaware of their word processor’s header/footer function, which automatically places this information at the top or bottom of every page. 

Manual page numbers or any combination of the above creates issues similar to pressing the enter key at the end of every line. Removing them can be difficult and time-consuming. To avoid this issue, please do not include any header/footer information in your manuscript (or use the word processor’s header/footer function to add it automatically). 

Follow these simple steps to on how to insert a header or a footer properly:

• Double-click anywhere on the top or bottom margin of your document.

• The header or footer will open, and a Design tab will appear on the right side of the Ribbon. The insertion point will appear in the header or footer.

• Type the desired information into the header or footer.

• When you're finished, click Close Header and Footer or press the Esc key.

• The header or footer text will appear.