A header is a section that appears at the top margin of a printed document or on-screen page. It typically repeats on every page of the document and, depending on the capabilities of the software being used, can include various elements such as text, pictures, automatic consecutive page numbers, date, and time.
Elements of a Header
Headers can contain a combination of the following elements depending on specific requirements and software functionalities:
Text
Text elements in headers often include titles, chapter names, authors’ names, and other relevant information.
Pictures
Logos, graphical elements, or symbols frequently appear in headers to maintain branding or visual identity.
Automatic Page Numbers
Headers often include auto-incrementing page numbers which the software updates on each page.
Date and Time
Headers can dynamically update to show the current date and time of document creation or modification.
Creating Headers in Different Programs
Microsoft Word
- Navigate to the “Insert” tab.
- Click on “Header” and choose a pre-defined style or create a custom one.
- Customize your header by adding text, page numbers, pictures, dates, and times.
Google Docs
- Click on “Insert” in the toolbar.
- Select “Header” from the dropdown menu.
- Enter and format your content as needed.
LaTeX
1\documentclass{article}
2\usepackage{fancyhdr}
3\pagestyle{fancy}
4\fancyhf{}
5\fancyhead[L]{Your Text Here}
6\fancyhead[C]{\includegraphics[height=15pt]{logo.png}}
7\fancyhead[R]{\thepage}
8\begin{document}
9\title{Document with a Header}
10\author{Author Name}
11\date{\today}
12\maketitle
13\newpage
14\section{Introduction}
15...
16\end{document}
In LaTeX, the fancyhdr package is commonly used to create customized headers.
Special Considerations
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent header throughout the document to ensure uniformity and professional appearance.
- Spacing and Margins: Ensure the header does not consume too much printable area and respects the document’s margin settings.
- Readability: Avoid overcrowding the header with too much information. Keep it simple and legible.
Examples
Academic Paper Header
Title of the Paper
Author Name
Page Number
Business Report Header
Company Logo
Report Title
Date
Page Number
Historical Context
Headers have been used throughout the history of printed material to provide readers with essential navigational aids. In early printed books, headers often contained the book title or chapter name for convenience.
Applicability
Headers are widely used in various types of documents including:
- Research papers
- Business reports
- Manuscripts
- User manuals
- Periodicals
Comparing Headers and Footers
- Headers: Appear at the top of each page, often contain document title, chapter title, or page number.
- Footers: Appear at the bottom of each page, typically contain page number, document information, or footnotes.
Related Terms
- Footer: A section that appears at the bottom of a page, offering similar functionality to headers.
- Watermark: A faint design added to the background of a page, outside the header or footer.
- Title Block: A region usually at the beginning of a document containing the title and other metadata.
FAQs
Can I have different headers on different pages?
How do I remove the header from the first page?
Can I insert fields in headers?
References
- Microsoft Office: Insert Headers and Footers
- Google Docs Editors Help: Add headers, footers, and page numbers
- LaTeX Documentation: Fancyhdr package
Summary
Headers in documents provide a repeating section at the top of each page that can include text, pictures, automatic page numbers, date, and time, enhancing the document’s navigability and consistency. This functionality is supported by various software applications, each offering ways to customize and optimize the header for different document types.
