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Headers and footers can be useful tools for organizing and identifying a document. A header is a section of information that is printed above the body of the document, and a footer is a section of information that is printed below the body of the document. Information in headers and footers is often static throughout a document (e.g., identifying the name of the document or supplying a page number).You may choose to add a preset header or footer to your document, or to create a custom header and footer.
Preset headers and footers are provided by Microsoft, or can be taken from documents you have used in the past.
From the Ribbon, select the Page Layout command tab
In the Page Setup group, click PAGE SETUP![]()
The Page Setup dialog box appears.
Select the Header/Footer tab
The Page Setup dialog box refreshes to display the Header/Footer options.

From the Header or Footer pull-down list, select a preset header or footer
Click OK
The header or footer is applied to the document.
NOTE: The header or footer may display the header or footer code on your screen, but the text will be visible when the worksheet is printed.
You may want to create your own headers or footers. You can adjust the font face and the size, add your own text, and add text that will be automatically updated with your document. Custom headers and footers may be added in two ways: using the Ribbon or the Header and Footer dialog boxes.
From the Ribbon, select the Insert command tab
In the Text group, click HEADER & FOOTER
A header appears, divided into three sections, and the Design command tab is visible on the Ribbon.
HINT: One section of the header appears on the left of the top margin, one in the center, and one on the right. Although all three sections may not be visible, clicking in one of these areas will cause that section to appear.

OPTIONAL: To work with a footer, in the Navigation section, click GO TO FOOTER
NOTE: The footer, like the header, is divided into three sections. Although all three may not be visible, clicking in one of these areas will cause that section to appear.
Click the section of the header or footer where you want to add content
Type or use the Header & Footer Elements to add all desired information
Using the commands in the Font group, make all desired formatting changes
To stop working with your header or footer, click outside of it
NOTE: The header or footer may display the header or footer code on your screen, but the text will be visible when the worksheet is printed.
From the Ribbon, select the Page Layout command tab
In the Page Setup group, click PAGE SETUP![]()
The Page Setup dialog box appears.
Select the Header/Footer tab
Click CUSTOM HEADER... or CUSTOM FOOTER...
The Header or Footer dialog box appears, respectively.

In the Left section, Center section, and Right section text boxes, type or use the Header & Footer Elements to insert the desired information in each section of your header or footer
Click OK
The Font dialog box closes.
When finished, click OK
The Header or Footer dialog box closes.
Click OK
The Page Setup dialog box closes.
NOTES:
If you created a header with multiple lines, it may overlap with the information on the spreadsheet.
To ensure that your header with multiple lines is displaying properly, refer to Adjusting Margins.
The header or footer may display the header or footer code on your screen, but the text will be visible when the worksheet is printed.
Excel allows you to create custom headers and footers by either typing your own text or adding specific text fields. The buttons available in the Header & Footer elements group provide you with text fields that will automatically update the information displayed as your document changes. These elements can also be added to preset headers and footers to customize your document.
The Code column in the table below shows the command that Excel will insert when the option is selected.
Although you may see only the code when looking at your document, the code will be translated to the corresponding information when the sheet is printed.
NOTES:
If you choose to create a custom header or footer using the dialog box option, note that these buttons are also available in the Header and Footer dialog boxes. However, only the graphic part of the button will be visible in these dialog boxes.
| Button | Code | Action |
|---|---|---|
| &[Page] | Inserts the page number NOTE: Excel will count only the pages that have data in at least one cell. |
|
| &[Pages] | Inserts the total number of pages NOTE: Excel will count only the pages that have data in at least one cell. |
|
| &[Date] | Inserts the current date | |
| &[Time] | Inserts the current time | |
| &[File] | Inserts the filename of the workbook | |
| &[Tab] | Inserts the name of the current worksheet | |
| &[Path]&[File] | Inserts the path and filename | |
| &[Picture] | Displays the Insert Picture dialog box so you can insert a picture | |
| None | Displays the Format Picture dialog box so you can adjust picture properties | |
| None | Available only in the Header and Footer dialog boxes; displays the Font text box to adjust text formatting |