Formatting Issues

How to Fix Word Headers and Footers Not Matching Between Sections

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to resolve an issue where headers and footers in a document do not match between sections, even after turning on the Link to Previous feature.

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a multi-section document that requires consistent header and footer formatting throughout the pages.
Observed behavior: Headers and footers remain different across sections because the Link to Previous setting is not universally applying to all header variations.

Before you start

Double-click the top or bottom margin of your document to open the Header & Footer tools, and consider enabling the Show/Hide paragraph marks to clearly identify where your section breaks are located.

Solution 1Recommended

Link Each Header and Footer Type Independently

The 'Link to Previous' feature applies separately to each distinct type of header and footer. You must configure First Page, Odd Page, and Even Page headers individually.

Word treats different header and footer types as distinct elements. If you have 'Different First Page' or 'Different Odd & Even Pages' enabled in your document setup, activating 'Link to Previous' on the standard header will not automatically link the First Page or Even Page headers.

Access the specific header or footer

Double-click the header or footer area on the specific page in Section 2 where the text does not match Section 1.

Identify the header type

Look at the label on the dotted line enclosing the header (e.g., 'First Page Header - Section 2' or 'Even Page Header - Section 2').

Enable Link to Previous

In the Header & Footer ribbon tab, click the 'Link to Previous' button so it is highlighted. Confirm any prompt asking if you want to delete the current header and connect to the previous one.

Repeat for all types

Scroll through your document and repeat this process for the footer, as well as for any other header types (like First Page or Odd Page) that are still unlinked.

Header Variations: Remember that a First Page Header in Section 2 is completely separate from the standard header in Section 2, and must be linked to the First Page Header of Section 1.

Easy Document Formatting

Manage Headers and Footers Effortlessly with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing complex document layouts, making it easy to link or unlink headers and footers across multiple sections without confusion.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the multi-section document you need to edit.
2. Access Header and Footer tools: Double-click the header area to activate the Header and Footer tab on the ribbon.
3. Navigate between sections: Use the 'Next Header' and 'Previous Header' buttons to jump quickly between the sections of your document.
4. Apply Link to Previous: Click the 'Link to Previous' icon to synchronize the current header or footer with the preceding section.

Clear visual indicators for section breaks and linked headers.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx).Free and lightweight office suite for everyday document editing.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my header change on the second page of my document?

This happens if the 'Different First Page' option is checked in your Header & Footer settings. The first page uses a unique header, while the second page switches to the standard document header. You can disable this option or format the second page header to match.

How do I remove a section break without messing up my headers?

When you delete a section break, the text before the break adopts the formatting (including headers and footers) of the section after the break. To prevent unwanted changes, ensure the bottom section's header is configured properly before deleting the section break.

Can I link footers across sections but keep the headers unlinked?

Yes, headers and footers are controlled entirely independently. You can activate 'Link to Previous' for your footers while keeping the option turned off for your headers in the exact same section.

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