Formatting Issues

How to Repeat Only the Second Header Row in a Word Table

Steve K Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to set the second row of a table as the repeating header row on subsequent pages, typically because the first row contains a table title or caption.

How to Repeat Only the Second Header Row in a Word Table

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a multi-page document table where the first row functions as a one-time caption and the second row contains the actual column headers that need to repeat.
Observed behavior: Word's native 'Repeat Header Rows' feature requires the very first row to be included, making it impossible to independently repeat a lower row while skipping the top row.

Before you start

Ensure your document is set to 'Print Layout' view so you can accurately see how the table breaks across multiple pages.

Solution 1Recommended

Move the Caption Above the Table (Recommended)

The most reliable method is to remove the caption from the first row entirely, place it in a standard paragraph above the table, and use pagination settings to keep them together.

By moving the caption outside the table, the actual column headings become the true 'first row' of the table, allowing Word's repeat feature to function normally.

Extract the caption text

Select the text in the first row (the caption) and cut it using Ctrl+X.

Paste above the table

Place your cursor just outside the top-left edge of the table, press Enter to create a new paragraph, and paste the caption text.

Delete the empty row

Right-click the now-empty first row in the table, select 'Delete Cells', and choose 'Delete entire row'.

Keep caption with table

Select your newly created caption paragraph, right-click, and select 'Paragraph'. In the 'Line and Page Breaks' tab, check the box for 'Keep with next'.

Set the repeating header

Select the new top row of your table (the column headers). Navigate to the 'Table Tools Layout' tab and click 'Repeat Header Rows'.

Move the Caption Above the Table (Recommended)

Tip: Enabling 'Keep with next' ensures your table title will never be stranded at the bottom of a page while the table starts on the next page.

Solution 2

Split the Table to Separate the Caption

If you need the caption to retain specific table formatting (like borders or shading), you can split the table to isolate the caption from the repeating headers.

Efficient Table Formatting

Manage Multi-Page Tables Seamlessly with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for handling complex table layouts, including repeating header rows and advanced pagination options like 'Keep with next'. It provides an easy, lightweight solution for formatting professional documents.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing your multi-page table.
2. Extract the caption: Move your table caption into a standard text line directly above the table.
3. Link caption to table: Right-click the caption paragraph, select 'Paragraph', navigate to 'Line and Page Breaks', and check 'Keep with next'.
4. Repeat the header: Select your column header row, go to the 'Table Tools' tab, and click the 'Repeat Header Rows' button.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) table formats and properties.Intuitive Table Tools layout for quickly setting up repeating header rows.Advanced paragraph formatting prevents table captions from separating across pages.Free and lightweight office suite available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Repeat Header Rows' button grayed out?

This button becomes disabled if you have not selected the very first row of the table. It will also gray out if your table's text wrapping is set to 'Around' instead of 'None' in the Table Properties dialog.

Can I repeat multiple rows at the top of the table?

Yes, you can repeat multiple rows, provided they are contiguous and include the absolute first row of the table. Simply highlight all the rows you want to repeat, then click 'Repeat Header Rows'.

How do I add the word 'Continued' to the header on subsequent pages?

Word does not have a native feature to automatically add 'Continued' to repeating headers. To achieve this, you either need to use complex field codes linked to the page layout, or manually split the table at the page breaks to manually type 'Continued' into the new top row.

Document & File Issues