Printing Problems

How to Print a Saved File Path in the Footer of a Word Document

Steven Parker Oct 12, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to display and print the exact file path and document name at the bottom of every page in a Microsoft Word document.

How to Insert and Print a File Path in a Word Document Footer

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a document for printing so that its saved location on the computer or network is easily identifiable.
Observed behavior: The document needs to dynamically show the saved file path in the footer space on every page.

Before you start

Ensure your document has been saved to your local drive or network at least once, as unsaved documents will not display a valid file directory path.

Solution 1Recommended

Using the Quick Parts Field to Add the File Path

Use Word's built-in Quick Parts field settings to automatically fetch and display the document's file path and name in the footer.

This method uses dynamic fields, meaning that if your document is saved in a specific folder, the field will pull that exact directory location without requiring you to type it out manually.

Access the Footer

Double-click the bottom margin of any page in your document to open the Header & Footer editing mode.

Open Field Settings

Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, click 'Quick Parts' in the Text group, and select 'Field...'.

Select FileName Field

In the Field dialog box, scroll down the 'Field names' list and select 'FileName'.

Enable Path Inclusion

Check the box labeled 'Add path to filename' under the Field options section, then click 'OK' to insert it.

Apply to Other Sections

If your document uses 'Different First Page' or 'Different Odd & Even Pages', copy the inserted field and paste it into the other footer sections.

Using the Quick Parts Field to Add the File Path

Updating the Field: If you move or rename the file later, the path won't change automatically. You will need to right-click the path in the footer and select 'Update Field' to reflect the new location.

WPS Writer Solution

Add File Paths to Footers Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a seamless and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word, allowing you to insert dynamic fields like file paths into your footers quickly. It offers full compatibility with Word documents and an intuitive interface.

1. Open the Footer: Double-click the bottom of your page in WPS Writer to activate the Header and Footer view.
2. Insert Field: Go to the 'Insert' tab, click on 'Field', and navigate to the document information options.
3. Select File Name: Choose 'FileName' from the list and ensure the option to include the file path is checked.
4. Confirm and Exit: Click OK to insert the path, then double-click the main document area to exit the footer.

Easily insert dynamic file path fields into headers or footers.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formatting.Free, lightweight, and fast-loading Office suite.Familiar user interface with a quick learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my file path say 'Document1' instead of a real folder path?

This happens if the document has not been saved yet. Save the document to your computer first, then right-click the field in the footer and select 'Update Field'.

Will the file path update automatically if I move the file to a different folder?

No, Word fields do not update in real-time. If you move or rename the file, you must open the document, right-click the field in the footer, and choose 'Update Field' before printing.

Can I put the file path in the header instead of the footer?

Yes, the process is exactly the same. Just double-click the top margin of the page to open the header instead, then insert the Quick Parts field using the same steps.

Document & File Issues