Template Issues

How to Use Different Headers and Footers in a Word Template

Camila Milosovich Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a multi-page Word template to have different headers, footers, and margins on the first page compared to subsequent pages, specifically without using section breaks.

How to Use Different Headers and Footers in a Word Template

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a reusable letterhead or document template that requires a unique design on the first page and a standard layout for all following pages.
Observed behavior: The user needs to set up a primary header for later pages while only keeping one visible page in the saved template file.

Before you start

Ensure your document is in Print Layout view so you can easily see and interact with the header and footer margins.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Headers Using 'Different First Page'

Use the built-in 'Different First Page' feature to configure multiple header layouts without needing complex section breaks.

Word allows you to store two different header and footer configurations within a single section. By temporarily adding a second page, you can define the layout for all subsequent pages and safely delete the extra page before saving the template. Word will retain both configurations when the document expands.

Access Header Settings

Double-click the very top margin of your first page to open the Header & Footer settings tab.

Enable Different First Page

In the Header & Footer ribbon, check the box labeled 'Different First Page'. You will see the header label change to 'First Page Header'.

Design First Page Layout

Insert your desired logos, text, or margins into the First Page Header and First Page Footer areas.

Create a Temporary Second Page

Click inside the main document body and press Ctrl + Enter to insert a temporary page break, creating a second page.

Configure Primary Header

Scroll down to the second page and design your standard layout in the primary 'Header' and 'Footer' areas.

Delete the Extra Page

Remove the page break to delete the second page. Your template is now ready to be saved, and Word will remember the primary header for future pages.

Configure Headers Using 'Different First Page'

Template Saving: When you save this document as a template (.dotx), Word safely retains the secondary header data in the background even if the template only displays one page.

Efficient Document Formatting

Easily Manage Headers and Footers in WPS Office

WPS Office provides an intuitive interface for managing headers, footers, and page numbers. You can easily set up different first-page designs or alternate headers without struggling with complex formatting rules.

1. Open Header and Footer: Go to the 'Insert' tab and click on 'Header and Footer' to activate the editing mode.
2. Enable Different First Page: Click the 'Header and Footer Options' icon on the ribbon and check the 'Different First Page' option.
3. Design the Layout: Input your specific content for the first page, then add a temporary page break to design the subsequent pages just like in MS Word.
4. Save as Template: Go to Menu > Save As, and choose 'WPS Writer Template (.wpt)' or 'Word Template (.dotx)' to save your reusable file.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx and .dotx) formatsSimple toggle for 'Different First Page' headersIntuitive drag-and-drop margin adjustmentsFree and lightweight alternative for document editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my second-page header disappear when I deleted the page?

It didn't disappear permanently. The settings are saved in the document's underlying data. As soon as your main text flows onto a new page, the primary header and footer will automatically reappear.

Can I use different headers without checking 'Different First Page'?

Without using that specific setting, you would need to insert a Continuous or Next Page Section Break and unlink the headers, which is often much more complicated for standard letterhead templates.

How do I change the margins only for the first page?

Instead of changing page margins directly, which affects the whole section, you can adjust the header/footer height or use invisible floating text boxes anchored to the first-page header to push the main text further down.

Document & File Issues