Document Editing Problems

Fix Link to Previous Grayed Out in Microsoft Word Headers

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 7, 2026 873 views

Question details

The user needs to understand why the 'Link to Previous' command is unavailable when editing headers or footers in a Microsoft Word document.

How to Fix 'Link to Previous' Grayed Out in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing headers and footers across different parts of a multi-page document.
Observed behavior: The 'Link to Previous' button in the Header & Footer toolbar is grayed out and cannot be clicked.

Before you start

Ensure your document contains at least one section break, as standard page breaks do not separate header and footer properties into independent linkable sections.

Solution 1Recommended

Move Your Cursor to Section 2 or Later

The most common reason for this issue is attempting to link the first section, which has no preceding section to link to.

Microsoft Word documents start with Section 1 by default. Because there is no section before it, the 'Link to Previous' option is logically disabled when your cursor is inside the very first header or footer.

Open Header & Footer Settings

Double-click the header or footer area of your document to activate the Header & Footer toolbar.

Navigate to the Next Section

Scroll down past your first section break and click inside the header or footer of Section 2 (or a later section).

Enable Link to Previous

Check the toolbar menu. The 'Link to Previous' button should now be active and clickable.

Automatic Formatting Update: Once clicked, the current header or footer will automatically update to match the formatting and content of the preceding section.

Solution 2

Check for Mismatched Header and Footer Types

Different header types (like First Page or Odd/Even pages) act as separate categories and can only link to identical types in previous sections.

Advanced Document Formatting

How to Link Headers to Previous Sections in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive way to manage complex document layouts. If you need to link headers or footers across multiple sections without dealing with confusing menus, WPS Office makes it simple while remaining fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents.

1. Insert a Section Break: Go to the Page Layout tab, click on Breaks, and select 'Next Page Section Break' to divide your document.
2. Edit the Header: Double-click the header area of your newly created section to activate the Header and Footer editing mode.
3. Link to Previous: On the Header and Footer ribbon, easily locate and click the 'Link to Previous' button to connect it to the earlier section.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) document formatsClear visual indicators for section breaks and header typesFree and lightweight alternative for professional document editingFamiliar ribbon interface for seamless user migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a page break and a section break?

A page break simply pushes the text that follows it to the top of the next page. A section break, however, creates an entirely new structural section in the document, allowing you to use different page orientations, margins, and header/footer settings from the previous pages.

How can I see where my section breaks are located?

To view hidden section breaks, go to the Home tab and click the 'Show/Hide' button (the ¶ symbol). This will reveal all hidden formatting marks, making it easy to see exactly where your section breaks are placed.

Can I link the footer to the previous section without linking the header?

Yes. Headers and footers are managed independently in Word processors. You can choose to click 'Link to Previous' while editing the footer to connect it, while keeping the header unlinked and completely unique.

Document & File Issues