ID: Q64251
The information in this article applies to:
In Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, if the header or footer of a document is larger than half the page size, the remaining text in the header or footer will be truncated. A header or footer cannot be larger than half the total page size.
For example, in a letter-sized document (8.5 x 11 inches) in tall orientation, the header/footer can be a maximum of 5.5 inches in length. Likewise, in wide orientation, the header/footer can be a maximum 4.25 inches in length.
Use a fixed top margin: From the Format menu, choose Document and enter a negative measurement in the Top Margin box (in Word 5.0 set the Top Margin to Exactly). Word uses the value entered as an absolute entry, and allows the header to overlap the body text of a document.
Another workaround for versions 4.0 and 5.0 of Word is to format all of the text of the header or footer as an absolutely positioned object:
To position the text of a header:
1. From the View menu, choose Header.
2. From the Edit menu, choose Select All (COMMAND+A).
3. From the Format menu, choose Frame.
4. Under Horizontal, in the Relative To box, select Margin.
5. Choose the OK button.
The text in the header will be a positioned object and will print in its entirety. The body of the document will follow the end of the header.
To position the text of a footer:
1. From the View menu, choose Footer.
2. From the Edit menu, choose Select All (COMMAND+A).
3. From the Format menu, choose Frame.
4. Under Horizontal, in the Relative To box, select Margin.
5. Under Vertical, in the Relative To box, select Page.
6. Under Vertical, type the distance from the top of the page where
the footer should begin printing. For instance, on a letter size
page, if the footer is 7 inches long, the distance from the top
should be 3.5 inches (leaving .5 inches for the minimum margin
spacing).
The text in the footer is now a positioned object and will print in its entirety with the body of the document appearing above the top of the footer.
1. From the Document menu, choose Open Header.
2. Select All the text (press COMMAND+OPTION+M).
3. From the Format menu, choose Position.
4. Under Horizontal, select Relative To Margin.
5. Choose the OK button.
The text in the header will be a positioned object and will print in its entirety. The body of the document will follow the end of the header.
To position the text of a footer:
1. From the Document menu, choose Open Footer.
2. Select all the text (COMMAND+OPTION+M).
3. From the Format menu, choose Position.
4. Under Horizontal, choose Relative To Margin.
5. Under Vertical, choose Relative To Page.
6. Under Vertical, type the distance from the top of the page where
the footer should begin printing. For instance, on a letter size
page, if the footer is 7 inches long, the distance from the top
should be 3.5 inches (leaving .5 inches for the minimum margin
spacing).
The text in the footer is now a positioned object and will print in its entirety with the body of the document appearing above the top of the footer.
KBCategory: kbusage KBSubcategory: kbformat Additional query words: 3.0 3.01 3.02 4.0 5.0 macword macword5 word6
Last Reviewed: July 30, 1997