How to Create a Word Letterhead Template with Different First and Later Pages
Question details
The user needs to create a document template where the first page features a distinct letterhead design, and all following pages use a different header and footer layout.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Designing professional business documents, such as company letters or reports, where the primary corporate letterhead is only required on the first page.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to automatically enforce distinct header and footer designs between the initial page and all subsequent pages in a saved, reusable template file.
Ensure you have your company logo and any required letterhead graphics ready to insert, and decide beforehand what information should appear on the first page versus the subsequent pages.
Enable Different First Page and Save as a Template
This standard method allows you to configure unique headers and footers for the first page before saving the document as a reusable Word template (.dotx).
Microsoft Word handles headers and footers at the section level. By enabling a specific built-in setting, you can split the header properties of a single section into two: one for the first page and another for the rest of the document.
Launch Microsoft Word and create a new blank document to serve as the foundation of your template.
Double-click in the top margin area of the document to open the Header & Footer tab on the ribbon. Check the box labeled 'Different First Page'.
With the cursor in the 'First Page Header' area, insert your logos, company name, and specific letterhead details. You can also scroll down to design the 'First Page Footer'.
Insert a temporary page break (Ctrl + Enter) to generate a second page. Double-click the header on page two (labeled just 'Header') and insert the design you want for all following pages. Delete the temporary page break once finished.
Click File > Save As. Choose a destination, and in the 'Save as type' dropdown menu, select 'Word Template (*.dotx)'. Name your file and click Save.
Create Professional Letterhead Templates in WPS Writer
WPS Office Writer offers an intuitive interface to design standard and diverse headers for your documents. You can easily set up a 'Different First Page' layout and save your design as a reusable template seamlessly.
- 1. Start a new document: Open WPS Writer and create a new blank document.
- 2. Enable first page separation: Double-click near the top margin to activate the Header and Footer tab, then click the Options icon and check the 'Different First Page' box.
- 3. Customize the headers: Insert your main letterhead design into the first page's header, then navigate to page two to set up the default header for subsequent pages.
- 4. Save as a template: Go to 'Menu', click 'Save As', and choose 'Word Template (*.dotx)' to save your reusable letterhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the second page header applying to my first page?
This usually happens if the 'Different First Page' option is not checked in the Header & Footer settings. Ensure this box is ticked while your cursor is located on the first page of the document.
Can I use different margins for the first page in a Word template?
While page margins typically apply to the whole document, you can adjust the 'Header from Top' distance specifically for the first page header. Alternatively, you can insert a 'Next Page Section Break' to isolate page setups, though this is harder to manage in a blank template.
How do I edit my saved letterhead template later?
To edit the template itself rather than creating a new document from it, open Word, go to File > Open, and browse for your .dotx file. Do not simply double-click the file from your computer, as that creates a new document based on the template.
Will this template layout work if I save the final document as a PDF?
Yes. When you create a document using this template and eventually export or save it as a PDF, the distinct headers and footers on the first and subsequent pages will be preserved exactly as designed.
