What Good Are Headers, Footers And Margins In Google Docs?

Pretty much all files (from documents to slides) have margins, with headers footers in Google Docs they are no different. The question is what use are they?

Well, really the first question is what are they?

Margins

Simply put, the margin is a space or gap that goes around the edge of the page. It covers all four sides (top, bottom, left and right).

Why have that margin around the edge?

The main reason is so that your content (text, images etc) prints onto the page, rather than off to any one side, ensuring that everything is visible, rather than anything missing.

Of course, today we don’t actually print things out as much (keeping it digital – save the trees 🌲) but that isn’t the only reason. Leaving that gap means that there is white space around our content making it easier to see and read the information on the page.

Headers Footers in Google Docs

You might be wondering what makes headers and footers special…

Well, anything that you put into them (I’m going to assume that you already know headers are at the top of the page, and footers at the bottom – surprising right? 😆) will automatically shown across all of the pages (or slides).

They are great for page numbers, titles, author name or any information that you want repeated.

How do they work with Margins?

The headers and footers are technically part of the margin (at the top and bottom only), although they don’t take up the whole space – you still need that white space around the edges.

Where is it in Google Docs?

Ahh – good question.

To change settings (distance from the top and bottom) you can find the commend under the Format menu > Headers and footers.

However, if you want to add text into them you need to use the Insert menu, or you can double-click at the top (or bottom) of the page.

What Good are Headers, Footers and Margins?

Margins – they ensure that all your content appear (and print) on the page. That there’s white space around the text so your readers can focus on what you’re saying.

Headers and Footers – allow you to enter useful information once, and it’s automatically repeated on each page.

What good are they? A lot of good, and worth using with all of your files.

Find out more

How can I help you with Google Docs (or other programs) to save time and frustration, Book a Call.

Alternatively you can check out my YouTube Channel for ‘How to’ videos including some for Google Docs.

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