Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007 and 2010. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Editing Headers and Footers.
You are probably already aware that you can create and/or edit headers and footers in Word by using the tools in the Header & Footer group on the Insert tab of the ribbon. Once you've created a header or footer, though, the easiest and quickest way to edit it is to switch to make sure you are in Print Layout view and double-click in the header or footer area. You can also double-click anywhere above or below the document area.
To return to document editing mode when you are done making changes to the header or footer, double-click anywhere in the normal document area, or click the Close Header and Footer button on the Design tab of the ribbon. (This tab is visible only when working in a header or footer.)
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (11669) applies to Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Editing Headers and Footers.
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2015-10-30 17:43:50
Lisa
I've found that double clicking a footer doesn't always work, such as when a table is the last thing on a page. In those cases, I right click in the footer and click "Edit footer."
An even quicker way to exit a header or footer is to press "Esc."
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007 and 2010. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
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