How to Add Headers and Footers in Google Docs

Headers and footers are useful when you want information to appear consistently at the top or bottom of multiple pages in a Google Docs document.

You can use them for document titles, chapter names, dates, page numbers, company names, or other information that should stay separate from the main text.

QUICK ANSWER

Go to Insert > Page elements

On a computer, open your Google Doc and choose Insert > Page elements. Select Header or Footer, then type the information you want to appear there.

How to Add a Header or Footer on a Computer

1

Open the document

Open the Google Doc where you want to add the header or footer.

2

Open Page elements

Click Insert > Page elements.

3

Choose Header or Footer

Select the location where you want the information to appear.

4

Enter your text

Type the title, date, page information, or other content you want to use.

EGGLOVER TIP

You can also double-click near the top or bottom of a page to enter the header or footer area more quickly.

What Can You Put in a Header or Footer?

There is no single correct format. The best content depends on the type of document you are creating.

Document title

Useful for reports, manuals, and longer documents.

Page numbers

Helps readers keep track of pages in longer documents.

Date

Helpful for drafts, meeting documents, and regularly updated files.

Section name

Useful when different sections of a document need different labels.

How to Use a Different Header on the First Page

You may not want the same header on a title page or cover page. Google Docs provides a Different first page option for this.

Different first page

1. Click inside the header or footer.
2. Find the Different first page option.
3. Turn it on.
4. Edit the first page separately.

This is particularly useful when the first page contains a document title and you want the regular header to begin on the second page.

How to Use Different Headers or Footers in Different Sections

A longer document may need different headers for different chapters or sections.

Google Docs uses section breaks to separate these areas. After adding a section break, click the header or footer in the new section and turn off Link to previous.

Example

Chapter 1 could use the header “Getting Started,” while Chapter 2 uses “Advanced Tips.” Turning off Link to previous lets the second section use its own header.

Can Odd and Even Pages Have Different Headers?

Yes. Google Docs also supports different headers and footers on odd and even pages.

Click inside the header or footer, open Options, and look for the setting to use different odd and even pages.

This can be useful for documents designed like books, where the page layout alternates between left and right pages.

Why Can I Not See the Header or Footer?

IMPORTANT

Headers and footers are not available in Pageless documents. If the options are missing, open File > Page setup and switch the document to Pages.

How to Remove a Header or Footer

If you no longer need a header or footer, you can remove it without deleting the rest of the document.

Remove a header or footer

1. Double-click the header or footer.
2. Click Options.
3. Choose Remove header or Remove footer.

How to Change Header and Footer Margins

You can also change how much space the header or footer uses.

Click inside the header or footer, then open Format > Headers and footers > More options. Enter the margin values you want and apply the change to the appropriate section or the whole document.

EGGLOVER TIP

If the header or footer seems to use too much blank space, adjusting its margin is usually better than repeatedly pressing Backspace.

How to Edit Headers and Footers on Mobile

The Google Docs Android, iPhone, and iPad apps can also display and edit headers and footers, but the document must be using Pages format.

You also need to turn on Print layout. Once Print layout is enabled, tap the header or footer area to edit it.

Header vs Footer

Area	Location	Common Content
Header	Top of the page	Document title, chapter name, company name
Footer	Bottom of the page	Page numbers, dates, notes, document information

Related Google Docs Guides

How to Add Page Numbers in Google Docs

Add automatic page numbers and control where they begin.

How to Change Margins in Google Docs

Adjust the space around your document pages.

How to Change Page Orientation in Google Docs

Switch between portrait and landscape layouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are headers and footers in Google Docs?

On a computer, go to Insert > Page elements and choose Header or Footer.

Why can I not see the header or footer?

The document may be using Pageless format. Headers and footers require Pages format.

Can the first page have a different header?

Yes. Turn on Different first page to edit the first page separately.

Can different sections have different headers?

Yes. Add a section break and turn off Link to previous in the new section.

Can I edit headers on my phone?

Yes. Use Pages format and turn on Print layout in the Google Docs mobile app.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Use headers and footers for information that should repeat across pages

In Google Docs, use Insert > Page elements to add a header or footer. You can also create a different first page, separate headers by section, and adjust header or footer margins when you need more control over the document layout.

SOURCES AND LAST CHECKED

This guide is based on current Google Docs Editors Help documentation for headers, footers, page setup, sections, and mobile Print layout. Google may change interface details over time. Last checked: September 2026.