What does Add Header & Footer do?
Add Header & Footer is a free online tool that can add custom header and footer text to PDF pages. The PDF result from Add Header & Footer is a separate copy to inspect before you use it elsewhere. One possible use is project identifiers added to internal reading copies.
Headers and footers add your supplied text at fixed positions on each PDF page during a Ghostscript rewrite. This can label a working copy with a project name or a simple status line.
The form has separate header and footer text fields, with no automatic date or page-number substitution. Placement uses fixed coordinates, so it is especially important to check files with page heights that differ from a typical portrait sheet.
The text positions use fixed PDF coordinates. A short sheet can put a header outside the visible area.
A long footer can run into other content. Try the wording on a copy with a typical page size.
Check both ends of the file for different layouts. For file batches labeled before a manual review, choose a copy whose source content suits that purpose. Keep a local source for another trial.
Add PDF header and footer text online: steps
Before using Add Header & Footer, decide what the new copy must contain and where it will be used. Choose concise wording and check the space near the top and bottom of the source pages. Review the upload area and all values required by the current Add Header & Footer form.
Choose the source
Check a landscape sheet for clipped header text. For Add Header & Footer, choose one source from your device. Keep a source copy for another attempt.
Review the form values
Header text controls a value used by Add Header & Footer. Enter your chosen Header text value.
Footer text controls a value used by Add Header & Footer. Enter your chosen Footer text value.
Run the file task
Use Process Add Header & Footer after checking the source and form values. Wait for the job to finish. An error means this attempt failed.
Save and check the output
Check both text placements across differently sized pages and check that labels have not covered existing content. Store the output on your device. Name this copy separately from the original.
Label pages: uses for Add Header & Footer
Add Header & Footer can help with draft status repeated across a report. It can also be used for simple footer notes placed on working files. The PDF result from Add Header & Footer must suit the intended reading or editing step, so keep the source until that check is complete.
- Project identifiers added to internal reading copies.
- Draft status repeated across a report.
- Simple footer notes placed on working files.
- File batches labeled before a manual review.
Formats and limits for Add Header & Footer
The Add Header & Footer form accepts PDF sources. Each Add Header & Footer upload can be up to 300 MB, which equals 300 MiB. The allowed suffixes on the Add Header & Footer page do not prove that a source has valid content inside it.
| Accepted formats | Maximum file size | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 300 MB per file (300 MiB upload limit) |
The header position is fixed near 810 points and can fall outside shorter pages. Rewriting can alter interactive features, fonts and signed files.
How this tool works
Add Header & Footer uses Ghostscript to handle the source on the server. The Add Header & Footer request uses your chosen input rather than any local editing project left on your device. Check the PDF contents produced by Add Header & Footer before treating them as ready for another app or reader.
For Add Header & Footer, your browser uploads the source to our file-processing server. This is a server task, not local editing.
Files are due for deletion within 1 hour. Cleanup runs during normal service operation. Keep a local download for future use.
Add Header & Footer questions and answers
If Add Header & Footer gives an unexpected result, start by checking the source type and the values used in the form. Check the PDF contents from Add Header & Footer as well as the filename or displayed message. For another result type, compare Add Header & Footer with the separate tools described in these answers.
What matters when using Add Header & Footer?
Look for overlap with old page numbers in the footer. View that area at its intended display size. Note any differences that affect your purpose.
Why try Add Page Numbers?
Add Page Numbers offers another task beside Add Header & Footer: stamp page numbers on each PDF page. Add Page Numbers returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Add Header & Footer matches a listed input type for Add Page Numbers.
Why try Add Watermark PDF?
Add Watermark PDF offers another task beside Add Header & Footer: overlay watermark text on every page of a PDF. Add Watermark PDF returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Add Header & Footer matches a listed input type for Add Watermark PDF.
Why try Change PDF Page Size?
Change PDF Page Size offers another task beside Add Header & Footer: resize PDF pages to A4, Letter, or custom size. Change PDF Page Size returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Add Header & Footer matches a listed input type for Change PDF Page Size.
What if my PDF result does not open?
For a failed Add Header & Footer result, first confirm that the download completed and that the viewer supports PDF. Try another local viewer for that format.
Record any error message for support. Keep private source material out of the report.
How do I report a problem with Add Header & Footer?
Contact support with the Add Header & Footer page name, source format and the error you saw. Mention any relevant form settings you chose. Do not send passwords or private attachments.