How to Add Header Footer To PDF
Headers and footers in PDFs add professional touches like page numbers, document titles, dates, and company branding. Whether you're preparing a report, thesis, or legal filing, consistent headers and footers make multi-page documents easier to navigate and reference. SublimePDF lets you add customizable headers and footers without Adobe Acrobat.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below, then use the free tool directly — no registration or download required.
Open Tool →How to Add Header Footer To PDF — Step by Step
Upload your PDF
Open the Add Header & Footer tool and upload your document. Multi-page files are fully supported—you'll see a page count confirmation once the upload completes.
Open the header/footer editor
Click 'Add Header & Footer' in the toolbar. The editor shows six text zones: left, center, and right positions for both the header and footer areas of each page.
Customize content and position
Type your header text (document title, author name, confidentiality notice) and footer text (page numbers, copyright line, date). Use the {page} and {total} placeholders to insert dynamic page numbering like 'Page 3 of 12.'
Set page range and styling
Choose which pages receive headers and footers—all pages, odd/even only, or a custom range. Pick a font, size (8–14pt works best), and color. Adjust top and bottom margins to avoid overlapping existing content.
Preview and download
Check the live preview to verify alignment, especially on pages with narrow margins. Toggle between pages to ensure nothing overlaps body text. Once satisfied, click 'Apply' and download the updated PDF.
Pro Tips
- 💡 Use the 'Start from page 2' option to keep your cover page or title page clean while numbering the rest of the document.
- 💡 For legal or academic documents, use a smaller font size (8–9pt) in a neutral color like dark gray to keep headers unobtrusive.
- 💡 Combine the {date} placeholder with a fixed title to create self-documenting footers like 'Q4 Financial Report — Generated Feb 2026.'
- 💡 If your PDF already has content near the top or bottom edges, increase the margin offset to prevent the header or footer from overlapping.
Privacy & Security
All processing happens directly in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server — they remain on your device throughout the entire process. SublimePDF uses WebAssembly technology for fast, secure, client-side processing.
Works Everywhere
This tool works on any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — on desktop, tablet, or mobile. No software to install. PDF is an open ISO standard supported by all major platforms.
How to Add Header Footer To PDF — FAQ
Can I use different headers on odd and even pages?
Will adding headers change my PDF's existing content or layout?
Can I add a logo image to the header?
How do I remove headers and footers I added?
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