How to Add Headers and Footers to a PDF

Last updated: February 23, 2026

Professional documents often need consistent headers and footers — page numbers, document titles, dates, or confidentiality notices. Most online tools limit you to basic page numbering or require a paid subscription. OneClickPDF gives you 6 independent text zones with smart variables, all processed in your browser.

Step-by-Step Guide

Open the Header & Footer tool

Navigate to the Header & Footer page on OneClickPDF. No account needed.

Upload your PDF

Drag and drop your PDF onto the upload zone. The file stays on your device — nothing is uploaded.

Configure your header and footer text

Click any of the 6 zones (header-left, header-center, header-right, footer-left, footer-center, footer-right) to enter text. Use smart variables like {page}, {pages}, {date}, and {filename} — they auto-resolve on each page.

Customize appearance

Choose from Helvetica, Times, or Courier fonts. Set the font size, pick a color, and adjust top/bottom/side margins. Use page scope controls to apply to all pages, odd only, even only, or a custom range.

Apply and download

Click Apply & Download. The tool processes every page and saves your PDF with headers and footers embedded. Preview thumbnails show exactly what each page will look like before you download.

Header & Footer

Add custom header and footer text to every page in your PDF.

Try It Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add different text to odd and even pages?

Yes. Use the page scope setting to apply different headers/footers to odd pages vs even pages. This is common for book-style layouts where page numbers alternate sides.

What variables can I use?

Four variables: {page} inserts the current page number, {pages} inserts the total page count, {date} inserts today's date, and {filename} inserts the original file name. You can combine them — e.g., 'Page {page} of {pages}'.

Can I skip certain pages?

Yes. Enter a page range to skip (e.g., '1, 3, 5-7') and those pages won't receive headers or footers. This is useful for skipping title pages or section dividers.

Does this work on scanned PDFs?

Yes. The tool overlays text on top of the existing page content, so it works regardless of whether the PDF contains selectable text or scanned images.

Adding professional headers and footers to a PDF no longer requires Adobe Acrobat or a subscription service. OneClickPDF handles it entirely in your browser with more zone flexibility and smart variables than most paid tools.

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