How to Add a Header or Footer in Google Docs
Short Answer
How do you add a header or footer in Google Docs?
Click Insert › Page elements › Header (or Footer) and type. From the keyboard, hold Ctrl + Alt and press O then H for a header, or O then F for a footer (hold Ctrl + ⌘ on Mac). With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then N H.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Insert › Header. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Google's Built-in Shortcuts
| Command | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Insert or move to header | HoldCtrl+Altand pressOthenH | HoldCtrl+⌘and pressOthenH |
| Insert or move to footer | HoldCtrl+Altand pressOthenF | HoldCtrl+⌘and pressOthenF |
These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension. To see Google's full list, press Ctrl + / (⌘ + / on Mac) in Google Docs.
Using the Menus
- Click Insert › Page elements.
- Choose Header or Footer.
- Type your text. For a different one on the first page, check Different first page.
Headers and footers don't show in pageless documents.
The Word-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Docs document.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). Word-style key-tips appear.
- Press N, then H. ShortieCuts runs “Header”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt NO | FooterInsert key-tips |
| Alt PH | Headers & Footers OptionsLayout key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: Word users add these with Alt, N, H and Alt, N, O. Those are much shorter than Google's hold-and-press combos, and ShortieCuts makes them work.
More Google Docs How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt H4 | StrikethroughBuilt-in: Alt + Shift + 5 |
| Alt HAI | IndentBuilt-in: Ctrl + ] |
| Alt RG | Suggesting ModeBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X |
| Alt H6 | Superscript & SubscriptBuilt-in: Ctrl + . |
| Alt PIL | Hanging Indent |
| Alt FI | Version HistoryBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H |
FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut to add a header or footer in Google Docs?
Insert or move to header: hold Ctrl + Alt and press O then H on Windows; hold Ctrl + ⌘ and press O then H on Mac. Insert or move to footer: hold Ctrl + Alt and press O then F on Windows; hold Ctrl + ⌘ and press O then F on Mac. These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension.
Does Alt + N + H work in Google Docs?
Not on its own. Google Docs has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + N + H there won't add a header or footer. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then N, then H, and ShortieCuts runs its "Header" command.
How do I add a header or footer in Google Docs on a Mac?
On a Mac, use Google's shortcut: hold Ctrl + ⌘ and press O then H (Insert or move to header). With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then N, then H.
Is ShortieCuts free?
ShortieCuts has a free 14-day trial with no credit card needed. After the trial, Pro is $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year.