Amol is the type of guy who prefers using the keyboard whenever possible. He's looking for a shortcut to switch between the header (or footer) and the main body of the document, or vice versa. He wonders if such a shortcut actually exists.
You could, if you desire, create your own shortcut to access the header or footer (how you create a shortcut has been discussed in other WordTips), but there is little need to do so. Word includes a very easy-to-use shortcut that allows you to jump right to the header: Alt+V, H. (Press the Alt and V key at the same time, then press H. You can continue holding down the Alt key as you press H or not, it is up to you.) A helpful mnemonic for this shortcut is "Alt View Headers," and it works great.
Once you are in the header area, you can then use the Down Arrow to move to the footer area and use the Up Arrow to move back to the header area.
Getting back to the main document using the keyboard requires a different shortcut key: Shift+Alt+C. This closes the header and footer areas completely and returns you to where you were in the document.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (4630) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
Headers and footers can add a finishing touch to your printed documents. Here's how you can position those headers and ...
Discover MoreHeaders and footers add a nice touch to your documents, particularly if they are printed. You may want Word to use a ...
Discover MoreHeaders and footers add a nice finishing touch to a document you plan on printing. You may want all sorts of information ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-07-28 04:31:47
Svatsa
Hey.. the tip was very useful.. hitting Esc also exits the header and goes to main document.. easier and intuitive option..
2017-10-30 09:59:37
Maritta
Question - what are the new keyboard shortcuts in Word 2016 for the Spelling - once the Spelling dialog box comes up and the options are on the side - Alt and the letter that's underlined no longer works
2017-10-30 09:48:13
Nicole
Hello, this tip doesn't work for me, using Word 2007.
2017-10-30 05:19:32
Dr. Bartolo
Actually this is not quite right (at least, not in my copy of Word 2016). To access the header in Word 2016 I need to press Alt + Shift + V, H, not just Alt + V, H.
2017-10-30 00:10:40
Phil Maier
Ref the tip "Keyboard Shortcut to Access Header and Footer", to return to my place in the main document I simply use the Esc key (Word-2010). It's jus a single key stroke. As a keyboard warrior I appreciate tips like this.
2017-10-28 16:22:24
Amol
Thank you very much sir for help ans suggestions
2017-10-28 13:40:55
Martin Rickerd
No need to remember a shortcut - I find it easy enough to just double-click while hovering over header/footer (and then over main text to return to it).
2017-10-28 12:49:15
PFL
In my Word 2013, this does work.
ALT-V H also acts as a toggle, so while SHIFT-ALT C does work, it is not needed.
UP arrow and DOWN arrow do not work to move from header/footer, but PGUP/PGDN do perform that operation.
PFL
2017-10-28 09:38:34
Ewald Hesse
This keyboard shortcut for getting into the header certainly does work for Office 2016 but not for 2013.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments