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APA Style (Archived: 6th Edition)

Insert APA Style Headers & Page Numbers

Screenshot of MS Word header tools, different first page option highlighted.

Step 1: Open Header & Footer tools

Place your cursor on page 1 of your document. Double click in the header section of your document to open the Header & Footer Tools menu. On the Options pane, select Different First Page.

Screenshot of MS Word header tools, insert page number menu highlighted.

Step 2: Insert Page Number

Select Page Number from the Header & Footer pane, and select Top of Page >> Plain Number 3.

Screenshot of MS Word header, inserting a running head

Step 3: Insert Running Head on First Page

Place your cursor next to the page number 1. Type the words Running head: followed by the title of your paper in capital letters. 

Screenshot of MS word header, positioning a running head

Step 4: Position Running Head on Left Margin

Hit the Tab key twice to move the running head to the left margin.

Step 5: Insert APA Headers and Page Numbers for Remaining Pages

Place your cursor on page 2 of your document. Double click in the header section to open the Header and Footer Tools menu. Repeat steps 2-4. Omit the words Running head:

APA Formatting Tips

Open License Statement

APA Guide, 6th Edition by Centennial College Libraries is licensed under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license unless otherwise stated.

Video: APA Formatted Word Document

APA Essay Template

Download this essay template and insert your assignment text.

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