How to Insert Header in Excel

Headers act as top sections of a document page. In Microsoft Excel, headers help to identify data in a table and improve overall document structure. A header can contain simple information such as text or page numbers to more complicated details such as logos, images, and other graphic elements. In this blog post, we will walk you through the different ways of inserting a header in Excel and the various customization options that exist.

Checking Header and Footer Visibility

Before diving into inserting header in Excel, it’s important to check the visibility of the header and footer sections. To do this, click the “View” tab on the Excel menu bar and select “Page Layout”. This action changes your view to page layout mode, where you can preview how your data will look on the printed page. Check if there is already any content in the header or footer section. If visible, you can double-click on the top or bottom margin of the sheet to make changes to the existing content.

Inserting a Pre-Designed Header in Excel

If you are looking to add quick and professional headers to your workbooks, Excel has a few default headers that you can select from. First, while in the “Page Layout” view, click on the “Header/Footer” tab on the menu bar. You can select the header layout from a list of pre-designed options, such as “Blank”, “Title”, or “Executive”. Once you select a header layout, the text boxes appear in the header. Type in the text you need and format it as needed.

Creating a Custom Header in Excel

If none of the default header options work for your particular situation, you can create a custom header in Excel. Begin by clicking the “Custom Header” button found in the “Header/Footer” tab. This brings up the “Header” dialog box. From here, you can add any text, insert date and time, insert a graphic or image, insert page numbers, or even create your own custom text by clicking on the applicable button. Once you have created the header, click OK to save.

Editing and Deleting Headers in Excel

If you want to edit or delete an already existing header in Excel, double-click the top margin of the sheet to access the header section. Once in the header, you can select and highlight the text or graphic image to edit or delete. When finished, click anywhere outside the header to exit editing mode.

Conclusion

Adding a header in Excel enhances the visual appeal of your workbook and simplifies the data organization process. Whether you are using a pre-designed header, creating a custom one, or editing an existing one, Excel provides a quick and direct way to achieve your desired outcome.

Additional Tips for Working with Headers in Excel

While inserting a header in Excel is a straight forward process, there are additional tips and tricks that can help you to work more efficiently with headers.

Use Ampersand (&) symbol for concatenating text and formulas

If you have multiple columns in your sheet and want to combine data from different cells into a single header, you can use the & symbol. For example, to combine text from cell A1 and A2 into the header, you would write: =

Use Page Layout View for easily managing headers

The Page Layout view in Excel provides a quick and easy way to edit and view headers. Once in this view, double-click on the header section to add or modify data. Changes you make will display in real-time on the sheet, giving you a visual preview of what the final page will look like.

Save custom headers as a template

If you have created a custom header that you want to use in multiple sheets or even workbooks, you can save the header as a template. To do this, click the “Header/Footer” tab and select “Save Selection as a New Header”. Give the header a unique name and click OK. You can now access this header in any new or existing sheet.

Headers are an essential component of creating organized and visually appealing Excel workbooks. Whether you’re using default headers or creating a custom one, the step-by-step guide outlined in this blog post will allow you to easily insert and modify headers in your Excel worksheets.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to common questions you may have concerning inserting headers in Excel.

Can I add a header to just one page in Excel?

Yes, you can add a header to just one or selected pages in Excel. First, open the “Page Setup” dialog box by clicking on the Page Layout tab on the Excel menu bar and then click on “Print Titles.” In this dialog box, go to the “Sheet” tab and under “Print Titles” section, select the “Rows to repeat at top” or “Columns to repeat at left” option, depending on which one you want to add a header to. Finally, select the rows or columns that you want to add the header to and click “OK” to save the settings.

What is the difference between Header and Footer in Excel?

Headers are top sections of a document page, while footers are bottom sections. Headers and footers play a similar role in identifying data, page numbers, and dates in the document. They can also contain logos, images, and other graphic elements. In Excel, headers and footers are managed separately and can be customized individually.

How do I remove the header from an Excel sheet?

To delete a header in Excel, first, navigate to the “Page Layout” view by clicking on the Page Layout option on the Excel menu bar. Then, double-click the top margin of the sheet to enter the header editing mode and select the header content you want to remove. Press the “Delete” key on your keyboard to delete the content, and finally, click anywhere outside the header to exit editing mode.

Is it possible to use different headers on different pages in Excel?

Yes, it is possible to use different headers on different pages in Excel. First, navigate to the “Page Layout” view on Excel and double-click on the top margin of the sheet to enter the header editing mode. From the “Design” tab, deselect the “Different First Page” checkbox and then select the “Different Odd and Even Pages” checkbox. This action enables you to create Unique headers on all the pages in the workbook.

How can I add a logo or image to the header in Excel?

To add a logo or image to the header in Excel, first, double-click on the top margin of the sheet to enter the editing mode, then click on the “Insert” option located in the “Header & Footer Tools” tab. From the list, select “Picture” or “Online Pictures” if you want to add an image from the web. Locate the image file on your device or search for the image to add if you’re using an online picture. Once you’re done, adjust the size and position of the image as desired to fit within the header.