Word repeats a header and footer on every page automatically. Double-click the top or bottom margin of any page, type your header or footer, and it appears on all the other pages too. If it’s missing from some pages, one of three settings is the cause: Different First Page, Different Odd & Even Pages, or a section break with Link to Previous turned off. Here’s how to add a header and fix each one, plus how to repeat a table’s header row.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac, and Word for the web. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
- Select Insert > Header (or Footer) and choose a design, or Edit Header to start blank. You can also double-click the top or bottom margin of a page.
- Type your text, or add a logo with Insert > Pictures.
- Add page numbers if you want them with Page Number on the Header & Footer tab.
- Select Close Header and Footer, or double-click the body of the page.
Scroll through the document: the header and footer should be on every page.
Fix 1: The first page is different
- Double-click the header on the first page.
- On the Header & Footer tab, clear Different First Page.
The first page now shows the same header as the rest. Leave it ticked if you want a title page without a header; see how to remove the page number from the first page in Word.
Fix 2: Odd and even pages are different
- Double-click any header.
- Clear Different Odd & Even Pages on the Header & Footer tab.
If you want different odd and even headers, as in a printed book, keep it ticked and type the header on both an odd and an even page.
Fix 3: A section break stopped it repeating
Each section in a document can have its own header and footer. When Link to Previous is off, a new section starts with a different or empty one.
- Double-click the header on the first page where it’s wrong. The label shows the section, such as Header -Section 2-.
- On the Header & Footer tab, select Link to Previous.
- Select Yes when Word asks whether to delete this header and connect to the previous one.
- Do the same for the footer, and for every later section that’s wrong.
To see where sections start, select Home > Show/Hide (¶). For more on sections, see how to create sections in Word. If you want each section to have its own header on purpose, see how to make different headers in Word.
Repeat a table’s header row on each page
If you mean a table’s column headings rather than the page header:
- Select the table’s top row, or the first few rows if the heading uses more than one.
- Select Table Layout > Repeat Header Rows. You can also right-click, choose Table Properties > Row and tick Repeat as header row at the top of each page.
The heading appears at the top of each page the table continues onto. It only works if the table breaks across pages naturally; a manual page break inside the table stops it.
Reuse a header in other documents
- Double-click the header and select everything in it.
- Select Insert > Header > Save Selection to Header Gallery.
- Give it a name and select OK.
It then appears in the Insert > Header list in every document.
Troubleshooting
The header shows on screen but not in print
It’s too close to the edge for your printer. Increase Header from Top or Footer from Bottom on the Header & Footer tab to at least 0.5 inch.
Changing one header changes all of them
The sections are linked. Turn off Link to Previous in the section you want to be different.
The header looks faded
That’s Word dimming it while you edit the body text. It prints normally.
Frequently asked questions
Do headers repeat in Word for the web?
Yes. Select Insert > Header & Footer, type your text, and it repeats on every page when you print or view in print layout.
Can a header show the chapter title on each page?
Yes. In the header, select Quick Parts > Field, choose StyleRef, pick Heading 1 and select OK. The header then shows the current chapter’s heading.
Related: How to make the header smaller in Word.
Related: how to delete a header in Word.
Related: How to Have a Header Only on the First Page in Word.
Related: How to Make the Header Not Faded in Word.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.