How to Change a Header in Word

A Word header is the area above the main text where you can place items such as a document title, chapter name, date, logo, or page number. You can change its content, appearance, and which pages display it. Before editing, open your document and decide whether the change should apply throughout the document or only to a particular section. Word’s menu names and locations may differ slightly by version and platform.

What You’ll Need

A document open in Microsoft Word. These steps apply broadly to Word for Windows and Mac; Word for the web may have fewer layout controls.
The text or other content you want in the header. If you are adding a picture or logo, have the image available on your device.
For a header limited to part of a document, a section break at the point where that part begins. You can add one from Layout > Breaks.

Step-by-Step

Open the header. In Print Layout view, double-click the blank area at the top of a page. Alternatively, select Insert > Header and choose Edit Header. Word opens the header area and displays the Header & Footer tab. If you do not see the top margin, switch to View > Print Layout.
Edit the existing content. Click in the header and use the keyboard to replace, add, or remove text. To keep existing content and add more, click where the new text should go. You can use the Home tab to change font, size, color, alignment, and spacing, just as you would for ordinary document text.
Choose a header layout if needed. Select Insert > Header to browse built-in designs, or use the Header & Footer tab options. Choosing a design can replace or rearrange existing header content, so check the page afterward. For a simple header, typing directly into the editing area is often the quickest option.
Add a page number or date correctly. Use Insert > Page Number or Date & Time rather than typing a number that should change automatically. Pick the position and format you want. Page-number options may appear under the Header & Footer tab while the header is open; the exact path can vary by version.
Set the alignment and spacing. Use the alignment buttons or tab stops to position content. Many built-in headers use left, center, or right tab stops, so pressing Tab can move the cursor between positions. Avoid adding a long series of spaces: it can shift unpredictably when fonts, margins, or page size change.
Decide whether the first page should differ. On the Header & Footer tab, turn on Different First Page if the opening page needs a distinct header or none at all. The first-page header is then separate from the header used on later pages. Edit each version as needed; changing one does not necessarily change the other.
Set up different odd and even pages if needed. Turn on Different Odd & Even Pages for layouts such as books, where headers alternate between left and right pages. Word provides separate header areas for odd and even pages. Check both kinds of pages after editing.
Limit the change to one section when required. Place a section break before the pages that need a different header, then open the header in that section. Word may show Link to Previous as active. Select it to turn off the link before editing, or the change can carry into the preceding section. Repeat at the next section boundary if later pages need to return to another header.
Close the header and review the pages. Select Close Header and Footer, or double-click in the document body. Scroll through the document to confirm the header appears where intended, does not overlap body text, and displays properly on first, odd, and even pages where applicable. Save the document.

Common Mistakes

Editing the body instead of the header: Click or double-click in the top margin until the header boundary and Header & Footer tab appear. Text typed in the body will move with the document’s main content rather than stay in the header.

Changing every page by accident: Headers are shared across pages in a section by default. If only one portion needs a different header, use section breaks and turn off Link to Previous in the new section before making edits. A page break alone does not create a separate header.

Forgetting separate first-page or odd/even headers: When those options are enabled, Word treats the header areas as separate. Make sure you edit the right one and review all relevant page types.

Using spaces to position text: Repeated spaces are fragile and may look different on another computer. Use alignment, tab stops, or a suitable built-in layout instead.

Deleting a page number unintentionally: A page number may be a field inside the header or footer. If you remove it, insert it again using the page-number command rather than typing a fixed number.

Tips

Keep header text concise so it does not compete with the page content or wrap onto an unwanted second line.
Use consistent font styling and alignment across sections unless the document design calls for a deliberate change.
Use fields for information that should update, such as page numbers. Plain text does not automatically update when the document changes.
If the document has multiple sections, inspect the header in each one. A section can have its own header settings even when the pages look continuous.
For a logo, insert the picture while editing the header and resize it with its corner handles to preserve its proportions. Check that it does not push the header too far into the page.

Troubleshooting

The header will not open: Switch to Print Layout and double-click near the top edge of a page. If the top margin is hidden, Word may have white space between pages turned off; moving the pointer to the page boundary can reveal it, or check the display options for white space.

The header changes on other pages: This is expected for pages in the same section. To separate a portion, add section breaks around it, open its header, and turn off Link to Previous. Confirm that you have not accidentally linked the section back to an earlier one.

The header is missing on page one: Check whether Different First Page is enabled. If it is, edit the first-page header separately or turn the option off to use the regular header there.

The text is too close to the page edge or body: While the header is open, look for Position or Header from Top on the Header & Footer tab. Adjust the setting carefully, then check the page layout and printer margins. Changing the header position can affect the document’s appearance or print output.

A page number is wrong or repeats: Make sure you inserted a page-number field, not typed digits. Check the page-number format and any section-level numbering options, and update fields if needed. The command names may vary slightly by Word version.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a header on every page in Word?

Edit the header in a section with no separate first-page or odd/even settings, and Word applies it to the pages in that section. If the document has multiple sections, repeat the edit or link the sections as appropriate.

How do I change the header on just one page?

Use section breaks to isolate that page, then unlink its header from the previous section and edit it. You may also need another section break after the page so later pages can keep their original header.

Why does my header repeat on every page?

That is the normal behavior: a header is shared throughout a section. Use Different First Page, Different Odd & Even Pages, or section breaks when you need exceptions.

How do I remove a header in Word?

Choose Insert > Header > Remove Header, or open the header, select its contents, and delete them. Removing a header can affect the current section and linked sections, so review the document afterward.

Can I have a different header on the first page?

Yes. Open the header and select Different First Page on the Header & Footer tab. You can then leave the first-page header blank or give it different content.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.