How to Save a Custom Word Header and Use It on the First Page
Question details
The user needs to save custom edits to a header for reuse in future documents and restrict a letterhead header so it only appears on the first page.
- Product
- Word Processing
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating reusable letterheads or standardized document templates for consistent formatting across multiple files.
- Observed behavior
- Changes made to built-in headers do not persist for future documents, and the letterhead incorrectly repeats on every subsequent page instead of just the first page.
Decide whether you want this header available across all new blank documents as a gallery building block, or if it should be tied to a specific document format like a formal letterhead template.
Save to Header Gallery and Configure First Page Settings
This method ensures your custom header is permanently saved to your application's gallery for future use and only applies to the first page of your document.
By saving your edited header as a Building Block, you can quickly insert it into any future document from the Header menu.
To easily maintain the 'Different First Page' settings for letterheads, saving the entire document as a template (.dotx) is the most reliable approach.
Double-click the top margin of your document to open the Header & Footer tools. Check the 'Different First Page' option to separate the first page header from the rest of the document.
Type and format your custom letterhead text or insert your logo specifically on the first page's header section.
Highlight your newly created header content. Navigate to Insert > Header > Save Selection to Header Gallery. Give it a distinct custom name (like '_MyLetterhead') and assign it to a category.
Go to File > Save As, select 'Word Template (*.dotx)' from the file format dropdown, and save. Creating new documents from this template will automatically load your exact header and page settings.
Effortlessly Manage Custom Headers and Templates in WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers a highly intuitive way to manage headers, footers, and custom document templates. You can easily set up professional letterheads that appear only on the first page and save them for reuse without wrestling with complex hidden settings.
- 1. Open Header and Footer tools: Launch WPS Writer and double-click the top margin of your blank document to access the Header and Footer tab.
- 2. Enable Different First Page: In the Header and Footer ribbon, check the 'Different First Page' box to isolate your letterhead from subsequent pages.
- 3. Design your letterhead: Create your custom header on the first page by adding text, company logos, or shapes.
- 4. Save as a custom template: Click 'Menu' > 'Save As' and choose 'WPS Writer Template (*.wpt)' or 'Word Template (*.dotx)'. Open this template file whenever you need to write a new letter with your saved header.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my custom header disappear when I open a new document?
If you only saved the document as a standard .docx file, the customized header remains contained in that specific file. To reuse it universally, you must save the header text to the Header Gallery or save the entire document as a template file (.dotx).
How do I remove a custom header I previously saved to the gallery?
Go to Insert > Header, locate your custom header in the dropdown gallery, right-click it, and select 'Organize and Delete'. From the Building Blocks Organizer window that appears, confirm your selection and click Delete.
Can I have a different header for odd and even pages?
Yes. While in the Header & Footer settings tab, check the 'Different Odd & Even Pages' box. This allows you to set up alternating headers, which is ideal for bound books, reports, or double-sided printing.
Where are built-in headers and gallery items actually saved on my computer?
Built-in headers and custom building blocks are typically stored in the 'Built-In Building Blocks.dotx' file or your default 'Normal.dotm' template file within your computer's application data folders.
