Know and understand the purpose of headers and footers

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 – Layout: Headers and Footers

Topic 13 – Layout

Objective

Know and understand the purpose of headers and footers in a document or web page.

What are Headers and Footers?

  • Header: The top section of each page that usually contains information that should appear on every page.

  • Footer: The bottom section of each page that also contains recurring information.

Typical Content

SectionCommon ElementsPurpose
HeaderDocument title, chapter heading, logo, page number, dateProvides context and navigation aid for the reader
FooterPage number, file name, copyright notice, contact details, footnotesOffers reference information and legal details, helps locate the page within the document

Why Use Headers and Footers?

  1. Consistency – the same information appears on every page, reinforcing branding or structure.

  2. Navigation – page numbers and headings help readers find specific sections quickly.

  3. Professional appearance – documents look more polished and are easier to read.

  4. Legal and copyright compliance – footers can contain necessary legal statements.

Best Practice Checklist

  • Keep the design simple; avoid clutter.

  • Use a legible font size (usually 9‑12 pt for footers).

  • Align page numbers consistently (e.g., centre or right‑aligned).

  • Include the document title or chapter name in the header for context.

  • Update dynamic fields (date, page number) automatically.

Creating Headers and Footers in Common Software

Below is a brief overview of steps for two widely used applications.

SoftwareSteps to Insert Header/Footer
Microsoft Word

  1. Open the Insert tab.

  2. Click Header or Footer.

  3. Choose a built‑in style or select Edit Header/Footer.

  4. Insert desired elements (text, page number, date).

  5. Close the header/footer area.

Google Docs

  1. Go to Insert → Header & page number → Header (or Footer).

  2. Type the required information.

  3. Use Insert → Page number for automatic numbering.

  4. Click outside the header/footer to return to the main document.

Suggested Classroom Activity

Students will create a two‑page report on a chosen topic. They must:

  • Insert a header containing the report title and their name.

  • Insert a footer with page numbers and the date.

  • Apply the best practice checklist to ensure consistency.

After completion, each student will peer‑review another’s document, checking for correct use of headers and footers.

Assessment Questions

  1. List three pieces of information that are commonly placed in a header.

  2. Explain why page numbers are usually placed in the footer rather than the body of the text.

  3. Describe two ways a header can help a reader navigate a multi‑chapter document.

Suggested diagram: Layout of a typical document showing header and footer areas.