How to Repeat Header Rows in Word (and Fix It When It Won’t Work)

When a table runs across several pages, readers lose track of which column is which. Word can repeat the header row at the top of every page automatically, so the column titles always stay visible. This guide shows how to turn it on in Word for Windows, Mac, and the web, how to repeat more than one row, and what to check when the header refuses to repeat.

Quick Answer

Click in the table’s header row (or select the top rows you want to repeat), open the Table Layout tab (called Layout in some versions), and click Repeat Header Rows in the Data group. The header now appears at the top of each page the table continues onto.

Method 1: Repeat Header Rows Button (Windows and Mac)

1. Click anywhere in the first row of the table. To repeat two or more rows, select them all, starting with the first row.
2. Click the Table Layout tab that appears on the ribbon (it sits next to Table Design).
3. In the Data group, click Repeat Header Rows. The button stays highlighted when it’s on. On a narrow window, the Data group may be collapsed into a single Data button; click it to find the option.
4. Scroll to the next page to confirm the header appears.

Method 2: Table Properties

1. Select the header row(s).
2. Right-click and choose Table Properties.
3. Open the Row tab.
4. Check Repeat as header row at the top of each page.
5. While you’re there, consider unchecking Allow row to break across pages so individual rows don’t split awkwardly.
6. Click OK.

Word for the Web

Word for the web shows repeated headers in documents where the setting was already applied, and recent versions include Repeat Header Rows under Table Layout or in the table’s row options. If you can’t find it, click Editing > Open in Desktop App and use Method 1.

Turn Off Repeated Headers

Select the header row and click Repeat Header Rows again, or clear the checkbox in Table Properties > Row.

Why the Header Row Isn’t Repeating

• You’re not in Print Layout: repeated headers only show in View > Print Layout and in print or PDF output, not in Web Layout or Draft view.
• The rows aren’t at the top: only a continuous set of rows beginning with the first row can repeat. Selecting row 2 alone won’t work.
• A manual page break splits the table: if you pressed Ctrl + Enter inside the table, Word treats it as two tables. Remove the break and let the table flow onto the next page naturally.
• Text wrapping is set to Around: open Table Properties > Table and set Text wrapping to None.
• The table was split into two: if a blank paragraph separates the parts, delete it so the tables merge back into one.
• Nested tables: header rows in a table inside another table don’t repeat.

Tips for Long Tables

• Format the header row with bold text and shading so it’s obvious on every page.
• Use Table Design > Header Row in Table Style Options to give the header a distinct style.
• Repeated headers also help screen readers identify column headings, which improves accessibility.
• For tables pasted from Excel, re-check the setting after pasting, since it may not carry over.

Related: Repeat an action in Word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the repeated header on page 2?

No. The repeated copy is display-only. Edit the original header row on the first page and every copy updates.

Can I repeat a header in Google Docs?

Yes. In Google Docs, right-click the table, choose Table properties > Rows, and use Pin header rows.

Does this work for columns?

No. Word repeats header rows only; there’s no built-in option to repeat a first column.

Summary

1. Select the table’s first row (or top rows).
2. Click Table Layout > Repeat Header Rows, or use Table Properties > Row.
3. Check the result in Print Layout.
4. Remove manual page breaks and text wrapping if it won’t repeat.