Headers, Footers and Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

A header is information displayed near the top of a page or slide. A footer is information displayed near the bottom.

• Header: Often used for a title or section label.
• Footer: Often used for an institute name, date, or other information.
• Slide Number: Identifies a slide's position in the presentation.

In PowerPoint, footer text, dates, and slide numbers are commonly managed through the Header & Footer dialog. Traditional header fields are not available for ordinary slides in the same way they are for Word documents.

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation.
2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Find the Header & Footer option.
4. Open the dialog box to view the available settings.

PowerPoint provides different options for slides and notes or handouts. The available fields depend on which tab you select in the dialog box.

Slide numbers help the presenter and audience identify the position of each slide in a presentation.

1. Go to Insert.
2. Select Header & Footer.
3. On the Slide tab, select Slide number.
4. Click Apply to update the current slide.
5. Click Apply to All to update all applicable slides.

You can insert a date on slides to show when a presentation was prepared or presented.

1. Open Insert > Header & Footer.
2. Select the Date and time option.
3. Choose Update automatically or Fixed, depending on your needs.
4. Select the desired date format.
5. Click Apply or Apply to All.

Update automatically: The displayed date or time updates according to the selected setting.

Fixed: Displays a date or time value that you specify.

Footer text can display an institute name, department, course name, copyright notice, or another short piece of information.

1. Open Insert > Header & Footer.
2. Select the Footer checkbox.
3. Enter your desired text.
4. Choose Apply or Apply to All.

Example footer: Soopro Pathshala | PowerPoint Tutorials

Keep footer text short so it does not distract from the main content.

A title slide often uses a cleaner design than the other slides. PowerPoint provides an option to omit footer elements from the title slide.

1. Open the Header & Footer dialog.
2. Select the Slide tab.
3. Enable Don't show on title slide, if available.
4. Apply the settings.

This option can help keep the opening slide uncluttered.

Always check the title slide and any customized layouts after applying the settings.

You may want slide numbers to appear in a consistent position, such as the bottom-right corner.

1. Open View > Slide Master.
2. Select the relevant master or layout.
3. Locate the slide number placeholder.
4. Move or format it as required.
5. Close Master View and inspect your slides.

If a slide number does not appear, check whether the placeholder is present and whether slide-number display is enabled.

A consistent footer style helps your presentation look professional.

• Use a readable font size.
• Choose a color with sufficient contrast.
• Keep the text short.
• Align the footer consistently.
• Ensure it does not overlap other content.

For greater control over the placement and appearance of recurring text, use an appropriate layout or Slide Master.

PowerPoint also provides header and footer settings for printed notes and handouts.

• Headers can display information at the top of printed pages.
• Footers can show names, dates, or other details.
• Page numbers can help organize printed material.
• Date settings can identify when the material was prepared.

Select the Notes and Handouts tab in the Header & Footer dialog to configure the available print settings.

Slide numbers identify slides in the presentation. Page numbers identify pages in printed notes or handouts.

To remove slide numbers or footer information:

1. Open Insert > Header & Footer.
2. Clear the checkbox for the item you want to remove.
3. Click Apply or Apply to All.
4. Review the presentation.

If an item remains visible, check whether it was added as an ordinary text box or graphic in Slide Master or on the slide itself.

• Slide number is missing: Check the Slide Number setting and the layout placeholder.
• Footer appears on the title slide: Check the Don't show on title slide option.
• Footer overlaps content: Adjust the layout or placeholder position.
• Footer text does not update: Reopen Header & Footer and check the settings.
• Only some slides display the number: Inspect their layouts and any individual slide settings.

Imagine creating a PowerPoint presentation for a computer institute.

This setup helps the audience identify the presentation and navigate between slides.

Create a presentation with at least five slides and complete these tasks:

1. Insert slide numbers.
2. Add your institute name as footer text.
3. Insert an automatically updated date.
4. Apply the settings to all applicable slides.
5. Hide footer information on the title slide.
6. Adjust the slide number position using Slide Master.
7. Check the presentation in Slide Show view.
8. Open the print-related footer settings for notes or handouts.