In all Office documents, the header represents the top margin of the page, and the footer represents the bottom margin. Headers and footers are useful for adding information you want to appear on each page of a document. For example, a page number, document title, or footnote.
In Microsoft Excel, you can access headers and footers only in Page Layout view, Print Preview, or Page Setup dialog box.
So, if you want to add a header and footer to your Excel spreadsheets, here’s how you can do it.
Adding Headers and Footers in Microsoft Excel in Page Layout View
To add a header or footer in Microsoft Excel, you need to:
Stage 1: Start Microsoft Excel.
Step 2: Click the Add tab.
Stage 3: Select the drop-down menu in the text group.
Step 4: Select Header & Footer, which will change the worksheet view to Page Layout.
Step 5: On your worksheet, place your cursor in the field called Title. At the top of the ribbon, select items for your title (Page Number, Image, Current Time, Date).
Step 6: At the top of the Ribbon in the navigation area, select Go To Footer to access the bottom margin of the worksheet.
Step 7: On your worksheet, place your cursor in the area called Footer. At the top of the ribbon, select the items for your footer (Page Number, Image, Current Time, Date).
Step 8: Select the Escape (Esc) key on your keyboard to exit the Header and Footer menu.
Adding Headers and Footers in Microsoft Excel in the Page Setup Dialog
To create a custom header or footer in Excel, you need to access the Page Setup Dialog in Excel. Here’s how it works:
Stage 1: Select the worksheet to add the header or footer to.
Step 2: Select Page Layout on the Ribbon.
Stage 3: In the Area titled Page Setup, click on the launcher to view more options. This should open the Page Setup dialog.
Step 4: In the Page Setup box, select the Header/Footer menu.
Step 5: Select the button titled Custom Header or Custom Footer.
Step 6: In the Left, Center or Right section, enter the details of your Header or Footer. This can be Page Number, Image, Current Time, Date. Excel also provides onscreen instructions for editing header or footer content.
Editing Headers and Footers in Microsoft Excel
Editing or changing the header or footer in Microsoft Excel can only be done through the Page Layout View. Here’s how to get to Page Layout view:
Option 1: Change the View from the Bottom Right Corner of Microsoft Excel
If you’re using Microsoft Excel from your desktop, switching to Page Layout view is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to do this:
Stage 1: In the lower right corner of Excel, also called the status bar, hover your cursor over the icons.
Step 2: Select the icon showing Page Layout View.
Stage 3: In your worksheet, place your cursor in the Header or Footer area and make changes directly.
Option 2: Change View from Microsoft Excel Ribbon
This option is more convenient if you are using Microsoft Excel from the web. Here’s how it works.
Stage 1: Select View on the Ribbon.
Step 2: In the Workbook Views area, select Page Layout. This changes the view to Page Layout view.
Stage 3: In your worksheet, place your cursor in the Header or Footer area and make changes directly.
Deleting Headers and Footers in Microsoft Excel
If an Excel file no longer needs a header or footer, you can delete it at any time. Here’s how to do this:
Stage 1: Select the worksheet you need to delete the header or footer.
Step 2: Select Page Layout on the Ribbon.
Stage 3: In the Area titled Page Setup, click on the launcher to view more options. This should open the Page Setup dialog.
Step 4: In the Page Setup box, select the Header/Footer menu.
Step 5: Select the drop-down arrow in the Field titled Title. Swipe up until you see None.
Step 6: In the Field titled Footer, select the drop-down arrow. Swipe up until you see None.
Step 7: Click OK to save your changes.
View Microsoft Excel Sheets Side by Side
Page Layout View’s functionality is not limited to adding headers and footers only in Microsoft Excel. You can also use tab to view multiple Excel sheets side by side.