Designing documents

Headers and footers

Headers and footers allow you to place identifying information consistently on each page of your document. Information in the header (such as your name) appears in the top margin on each page. Information in the footer (such as a page number) appears in the bottom margin of each page. Headers and footers help make your document look more professional.

Sample MLA and APA headers

Sample memo header

Sample report footer

Sample newsletter footer

TIP:Once you create a header or footer, your word processor can automatically insert it on each page. Information in the header and footer is typically set 0.5″ from the top or bottom of each page. If you have 1″ margins, the header and footer will automatically be centered within the margins. You can adjust these settings to suit the document you are creating.

Information in headers and footers

Headers and footers may contain any of the following:

your name (full name or last name)
page numbers
dates
filename, location, or version number
your document’s title (full or shortened)

Headers and footers can help you keep track of documents. If you forget where a file is stored, and you see the filename in the printed document’s footer, you can use the filename to search your computer for the file.

NOTE:Don’t confuse header, information at the top of each page, with headings, short phrases that break up longer stretches of text.

Different first page

Sometimes you will not want a header or footer on the first page of a document, or you may want a different looking first page. If the first page of your document is a cover sheet, for example, you probably would not use a page header or footer, and you may not want a page number. You can set a different first page in your word processing program.

Web pages with repeated elements

Websites might not have page numbers, but they often include a consistently placed logo, usually in the upper left corner, on each page. Repetition of a logo or other identifying information helps readers quickly determine where they are and when they have left the website for another site.

Many websites also include a set of consistent navigation links on every page. These show readers what is available on the site and help them move around the site.

Sample website with repeated elements