Office Settings & Configuration

How to Turn Off Link to Previous in All Word Sections

Phi Hung Vo Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to disable the 'Link to Previous' setting for headers and footers across all sections of a Word document.

How to Turn Off Link to Previous in All Word Sections

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting complex documents, such as legal contracts, where headers and footers must remain distinct and unlinked for every individual section.
Observed behavior: Word automatically links headers and footers to the previous section by default when a new section break is created, without providing a global toggle to disable this behavior permanently.

Before you start

Ensure your document already contains the necessary section breaks by navigating to the Layout tab and inserting them before attempting to unlink headers and footers.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Unlink Headers and Footers per Section

Use the Header & Footer ribbon tools to disable the link for each individual section and header type.

Open Header or Footer

Double-click on the header or footer area of the specific section you want to unlink to activate the editing mode.

Access Header & Footer Options

Navigate to the 'Header & Footer' tab that appears on the ribbon at the top of the screen.

Disable Link to Previous

Click the 'Link to Previous' button to toggle it off. Ensure the 'Same as Previous' label disappears from the right side of the header or footer area.

Repeat for Other Types

Repeat this exact process for footers, as well as any 'Different First Page' or 'Different Odd & Even Pages' headers and footers within that same section.

Manually Unlink Headers and Footers per Section

Solution 2

Use a VBA Macro to Unlink All Existing Sections

Run a custom VBA macro to instantly turn off 'Link to Previous' for all current headers and footers in the document.

Manage Document Sections Easily

Easily Control Headers and Footers with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers an intuitive and streamlined interface for managing complex document formatting, including section breaks, headers, and footers. It provides excellent compatibility with Microsoft Word files while simplifying the document editing process.

1. Open your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your text document.
2. Insert Section Breaks: Go to the 'Page Layout' tab, click 'Breaks', and select 'Section Break' where needed.
3. Edit Header/Footer: Double-click the header or footer area to enter the editing mode.
4. Unlink from Previous: In the Header and Footer tab, simply click 'Link to Previous' to deselect it and customize your current section independently.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word DOC and DOCX document formats.Intuitive Header & Footer tab for straightforward section and page management.Lightweight architecture ensures it runs smoothly even on older devices.Free to use with a comprehensive suite of professional word processing features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word link headers and footers by default?

Word links sections by default because section breaks are frequently used for mid-document formatting changes, such as modifying page orientation, columns, or margins. In these continuous text scenarios, users generally prefer the header and footer to remain consistent throughout the document.

Can I turn off Link to Previous permanently for all future sections?

No, Microsoft Word does not include a global application setting to permanently disable 'Link to Previous'. You must manually unlink new sections as they are created or utilize a VBA macro to unlink them after insertion.

Does unlinking a header automatically unlink the footer?

No. Headers and footers are treated as completely separate elements. If you turn off 'Link to Previous' for a section's header, you must perform the same action independently for the footer in that section.

Why does 'Same as Previous' still appear after I unlinked the header?

This typically happens if your document has multiple header types active within the same section, such as 'Different First Page' or 'Different Odd & Even Pages'. Each specific header and footer type must be unlinked individually.

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