How to add a footer in Google Docs
Add a footer in Google Docs from the Insert menu: open Page elements, choose Footer, type your text, then press Escape to return to your document.
Quick answer
To add a footer in Google Docs, open the Insert menu, point to Page elements, and choose Footer. The cursor drops into a footer area at the bottom of the page. Type your text, such as a confidentiality note, then press Escape to return to the document body.
Steps at a glance
- Open the Insert menu.
- Point to Page elements.
- Choose Footer.
- Click in the footer area.
- Type your footer text.
- Press Escape to return to the document.
Interactive demo
Summary
A footer is a text area at the bottom of the page, separate from the document body. Use it for notes such as a confidentiality line. Google Docs adds it from the Insert menu.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the Insert menu
In your document, click **Insert** in the menu bar. A long list of options opens below it.
Step 2
Point to Page elements
Hover over **Page elements** in the Insert menu. A submenu opens to the right of it.
Step 3
Choose Footer
In the submenu, click **Footer**. The page scrolls down and a footer area opens at the bottom, with a **Different first page** checkbox and an **Options** menu beside the label.
Step 4
Click in the footer area
The cursor is already in the footer. If it is not, click in the empty space below the **Footer** label to place it there.
Step 5
Check your footer text
Type your text, for example Confidential — internal use only. It appears in the footer area as you type. Press Escape when you are done to go back to the document body; the footer stays at the bottom of every page.
Why this matters
You are about to share a draft and want every reader to see a confidentiality line at the bottom of the page. A footer holds that note outside your body text, so you never retype it or move it around.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Footer option?
Open the Insert menu, point to Page elements, and click Footer.
How do I leave the footer after typing?
Press Escape. The cursor returns to the document body.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to add a header in Google DocsAdd a header in Google Docs from the Insert menu. Pick Page elements, choose Header, type your text, then press Escape to get back to the body.
How to add page numbers in Google DocsLearn how to insert page numbers in a Google Docs header or footer, and how to control the starting number and position.
How to add a checklist in Google DocsTurn a list of tasks into a Google Docs checklist with the Format menu, then click each checkbox to tick items off as you finish them.
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