How to Add a Cover Page in Microsoft Word

Adding a polished, professional cover page to your Word document is easy with the built-in cover page feature. A cover page can give your document a great first impression and consistent, cohesive style.

Why Use a Cover Page

A cover page allows you to:

• Brand your document with your company colors, logo, and fonts
• Organize multi-page documents so the first page clearly displays key details
• Customize the look to suit different business needs like proposals, reports, resumes, etc.

Accessing the Cover Page Gallery

Adding a cover page starts by accessing the Cover Page gallery in Word:

1. Open your document and select the Insert tab
2. Click Cover Page in the Pages group

This opens the gallery showcasing built-in designs. Scroll through or search to browse the selections.

Inserting a Cover Page

Once you find a design you like:

1. Click the cover page thumbnail to add it to your document
2. Replace the sample text with your own
3. Format with your fonts, colors, and logos

The cover page will be added as page 1. Text and images will flow onto page 2 automatically.

Cover Page Tips

• View print layout to preview page numbers, headers, footers, etc.
• Insert cover pages anywhere by right-clicking and selecting a location
• Delete unwanted cover pages from the Insert > Cover Page menu
• Create custom cover pages to reuse

Creating Custom Cover Pages

For cover pages you’ll reuse across documents, make your own template:

1. Design the cover page from scratch or start with a built-in design
2. Select everything on the page
3. Go to Insert > Cover Page > Save Selection to Cover Page Gallery
   • Name your custom cover page
4. Find it in the gallery to insert whenever needed

Stored custom cover pages sync across devices and versions of Word.

Cover Page Design Tips

• Use white space strategically to draw attention to key details
• Limit text for better hierarchy and scannability
• Incorporate visuals like logos, icons, and images
• Use fonts purposefully for headings vs body text
• Add color sparingly to make important text stand out

Sample Cover Pages

Here are a few examples showing creative uses of cover pages:

Modern Business Report

Business Report Cover Page Example

This report cover incorporates a large photo, minimal text, and clean lines for a modern aesthetic. The centered title and logo quickly communicate key details.

Academic Research Paper

Research Paper Cover Page Example

The structured layout and color scheme give this academic cover page a formal style, while the background image adds visual interest. Key details are easy to scan.

Stylish Marketing Proposal

Proposal Cover Page Example

This proposal cover page grabs attention with a bold color scheme and large text overlaying a photo. The styling reflects the company’s creative brand.

Final Tips

• Proofread cover page text to fix errors
• Print and review to catch formatting issues
• Ensure the cover page matches the style and tone of your document

Adding a polished cover page is an impactful way to introduce your document and leave a great first impression. Use Word’s built-in gallery to quickly customize the look, or create unique templates to reuse. With the right stylistic choices, your cover page can elevate your whole document.