Why Add Headers and Footers to PDFs?
Headers and footers serve important purposes in professional documents. They provide consistent branding, help readers navigate multi-page documents, and include essential information like page numbers and dates.
Common Header and Footer Uses
Page Numbers
The most common use for headers and footers:
- Simple numbering (1, 2, 3...)
- Page X of Y format (Page 1 of 10)
- Roman numerals for introductions
- Chapter-specific numbering
Document Information
Include helpful metadata:
- Document title or filename
- Author or department name
- Date created or modified
- Version number
Branding Elements
Professional touches:
- Company name
- Confidentiality notices
- Copyright information
- Contact details
How to Add Headers and Footers
Use our Add Header/Footer tool to add text to your PDFs:
- Upload your PDF document
- Choose header (top) or footer (bottom)
- Enter your custom text
- Select alignment (left, center, right)
- Enable page numbers if needed
- Adjust font size and margins
- Download your updated PDF
Using Placeholders
Make your headers and footers dynamic with placeholders:
{page}- Current page number{total}- Total page count{date}- Today's date
Example Formats
Page {page} of {total}= "Page 3 of 15"Document dated: {date}= "Document dated: January 26, 2026"Confidential - {page}/{total}= "Confidential - 5/20"
Best Practices
Keep It Simple
- Use readable font sizes (10-12pt)
- Don't overcrowd with information
- Maintain consistent formatting
- Consider document margins
Choose Position Wisely
- Page numbers typically go in footers
- Document titles work well in headers
- Dates can go in either location
- Consider where your content is
Professional Formatting
- Center alignment looks clean and formal
- Left alignment for official documents
- Right alignment for page numbers
When to Use Headers vs Footers
Use Headers For
- Document titles
- Chapter names
- Company branding
- Running heads in books
Use Footers For
- Page numbers
- Dates
- Copyright notices
- Confidentiality statements
Industry-Specific Examples
Legal Documents
Footer: "Page {page} of {total} - Confidential Attorney-Client Communication"
Business Reports
Header: "Q4 2026 Financial Report - [Company Name]"
Footer: "Page {page} - Generated {date}"
Academic Papers
Header: "Research Title - Author Name"
Footer: "{page}"
Contracts
Footer: "Contract #12345 - Page {page} of {total} - Initials: ____"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too small text - Use at least 8pt font
- Overlapping content - Check margins carefully
- Inconsistent style - Keep headers/footers uniform
- Missing on key pages - Verify all pages updated
Related Tools
Combine header/footer addition with other PDF enhancements:
- Add Watermark - Overlay text or images
- Page Numbers - Quick page numbering
- Edit PDF - Add other elements
Conclusion
Professional headers and footers make your PDFs look polished and help readers navigate your documents. Try our Header/Footer tool to add page numbers, dates, and custom text to all your PDF pages instantly.