To have different footers on different pages in Word, split the document into sections and unlink them. Click at the start of the page where the new footer should begin, go to Layout > Breaks > Next Page. Then double-click the footer on the new page, and on the Header & Footer tab, click Link to Previous to turn it off. Now you can type a different footer for that section without changing the earlier pages.
Repeat for every page or group of pages that needs its own footer. Here’s the full process, plus quicker options for a different first page or odd and even pages.
How to give each page a different footer
- Click at the very beginning of the page that needs a different footer.
- Go to Layout > Breaks and choose Next Page under Section Breaks.
- Double-click the footer area on that page to open it.
- On the Header & Footer tab, click Link to Previous so it’s no longer highlighted. The “Same as Previous” label disappears.
- Delete the old footer text and type the new footer.
- Click Close Header and Footer, or double-click the page body.
For a unique footer on every page, add a section break before each page and unlink each footer. For a long document, it’s usually easier to change footers only where chapters or parts begin.
Shortcuts for common footer layouts
| You want | Do this |
|---|---|
| No footer or a different footer on the first page | Check Different First Page on the Header & Footer tab |
| Different footers on left and right pages | Check Different Odd & Even Pages |
| Different footer per chapter | Section break at each chapter, then unlink |
| Different page numbering per section | Page Number > Format Page Numbers > Start at |
Tips and troubleshooting
- Changing one footer changes them all: Link to Previous is still on for that section. Click it to turn it off, then edit.
- See your sections: Turn on Show/Hide ΒΆ on the Home tab to see section breaks.
- Unlink headers too: Headers and footers are linked separately. Unlink the header if it also needs to change.
- Removing a section break makes the section use the next section’s footer, so check your footers after deleting breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Why does “Same as Previous” appear on my footer?
The footer is linked to the section before it. Click Link to Previous to unlink it.
Can I use a Next Page or Continuous section break?
For footers, use Next Page. A continuous break shares the page, so the footer on that page belongs to one section only.
How do I remove the footer from just one page?
Put that page in its own section, unlink its footer from both the previous and next sections, and delete the text.
Does this work in Word for Mac?
Yes. Use Layout > Breaks > Next Page, then turn off Link to Previous on the Header & Footer tab.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.