How to Add and Format Headers in Google Docs

What a header is and where it appears

A header is text that appears at the top of every page in your document, above the main body text. Headers stay in the same place on each page — they do not move when you scroll or edit the content below them. You might use a header to show your document title, your name, the date, or a chapter number on every page.

Headers are separate from the main text area. When you click in a header to edit it, the rest of your document becomes slightly grayed out so you know you are working in a different zone. Once you finish editing the header and click back into the main text, the header locks in place again.

Key Takeaways

Open the Insert menu, select Header, and choose which pages should have a header — you can use different headers on the first page or on odd and even pages.
Type directly into the header box that appears at the top of your page, then click the main document to return to normal editing.
Headers automatically repeat on every page, so you only type the content once.
You can format header text the same way you format body text — change the font, size, color, or alignment without affecting the rest of your document.
Remove a header by opening Insert > Header again and selecting the option to delete it.

How to insert a header in three steps

Start by clicking the Insert menu at the top of your Google Docs page. A dropdown list appears with many options. Look for the word Header in that list and click it.

When you click Header, a submenu opens showing you choices about which pages get a header. The most common choice is Header (the first option), which puts the same header on every page. Click that option, and a header box appears at the very top of your first page with a blinking cursor inside it, ready for you to type.

Type whatever text you want in the header — your name, the document title, a page number, or anything else. When you are finished typing, click anywhere in the main body of your document (the gray area below the header). The header is now set and will appear on every page.

Different header options for different pages

Google Docs gives you two ways to vary headers across your document. If you go back to Insert > Header, you see options beyond just "Header".

First page different lets you have one header on your first page and a different header on all the pages that follow. This is useful if your first page is a title page and you do not want a header there, or if you want the first page header to say something different like "Cover" instead of a chapter title. Click this option, and Google Docs creates two separate header zones — one for page one, one for pages two onward. Edit each one independently.

Different odd and even pages creates two alternating headers — one for odd-numbered pages (1, 3, 5) and one for even-numbered pages (2, 4, 6). Books and formal reports often use this so the document title appears on one side and the chapter title on the other. When you choose this option, you see two header boxes to edit, labeled "Odd page header" and "Even page header".

Formatting text inside a header

Header text can be formatted the same way as body text. Click inside the header to edit it, then select the text you want to change. Use the toolbar buttons to change the font, make text bold or italic, adjust the size, or change the color. You can also use the Format menu for more options like line spacing or text alignment.

A common choice is to center-align header text or make it smaller than the body text so it does not compete for attention. You might also use a different font or a lighter color to signal that it is a header and not part of the main content. These choices are entirely up to you — the header will look however you format it.

Adding page numbers to a header

Many documents include page numbers in the header. To add one, click inside your header to edit it. Then go to Insert > Page number. A menu appears with options for where the page number should go — left, center, or right. Choose your position, and Google Docs inserts a page number that automatically updates on each page (page 1 on the first page, page 2 on the second, and so on).

You can type text before or after the page number. For example, you might type "Page " before the number so it reads "Page 1", "Page 2", etc. Or you might type your name, then a space, then the page number so the header reads "Sarah Chen 1", "Sarah Chen 2", and so on. The page number itself updates automatically; you only type the surrounding text once.

Removing or editing a header

To change what is in a header, click inside it and edit the text the same way you would edit body text. Select, delete, retype, or reformat as needed. Click back into the main document when you are done.

To remove a header entirely, go to Insert > Header and look for a Remove header option at the bottom of the submenu. Click it, and the header disappears from all pages. If you had set up different headers for odd and even pages or for the first page, you see separate remove options for each one — you can remove just one type of header and keep the others.

Troubleshooting headers that do not look right

If your header text overlaps with your body text or looks too close to it, the issue is usually the top margin. Headers sit in the margin area at the top of the page. If your top margin is very small, the header and body text crowd together. Go to File > Page setup, look at the Top margin setting, and increase it to give the header more breathing room. A top margin of 1 inch is standard and usually leaves enough space.

If you see a header on some pages but not others, check whether you chose "First page different" or "Different odd and even pages" by accident. Go back to Insert > Header and look at which option is currently selected (it will have a checkmark). Switch to the plain "Header" option if you want the same header on every page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different headers in different sections of the same document?

Google Docs does not support section breaks the way some other word processors do, so you cannot have completely different headers in different parts of one document. However, you can use "First page different" or "Different odd and even pages" to create two variations. If you need more control, consider breaking your document into separate files.

How do I add a line under my header?

Click inside the header and select all the text. Go to Format > Borders and shading, then choose a bottom border. This draws a line under your header text. You can adjust the line color and thickness in the same menu.

Will my header print when I print the document?

Yes. Headers print by default on every page. If you do not want the header to print, go to File > Print settings and look for an option to exclude headers and footers, though this option varies depending on your printer.

What is the difference between a header and a footer?

A header appears at the top of every page; a footer appears at the bottom. You create footers the same way — go to Insert > Footer and follow the same steps. Many documents use both a header and a footer on the same page.

Can I insert an image into a header?

Yes. Click inside the header, go to Insert > Image, and upload or select an image the same way you would for the main document. The image will appear in the header on every page. Keep images small so they do not take up too much header space.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.