- A running head is a short title that appears at the top of every page of a paper to identify it for readers. It is typically an abbreviated version of the paper’s full title.
- Running heads are required for papers being submitted for publication, but are usually not required for student papers unless specified by the instructor.
How to Add a Running Head in Google Docs
First Page
- Click “Insert” > “Header & page number” > “Header”
- Check the box for “Different first page”
- Type “Running head:” (without quotes)
- Press caps lock and type an abbreviated title of your paper in all capital letters
- Insert page number by clicking “Insert” > “Page numbers” and selecting top right position
Subsequent Pages
- Click the header and remove “Running head:” so only the abbreviated title in caps remains
- Insert page number in top right corner if not already added
The abbreviated title should be 50 characters or less, counting letters, spaces, and punctuation. It can be a shortened version of the full title or a reworded title that conveys the key topic.
Make sure the font and styling matches the rest of the document. The running head and page number should appear in the same position on every page.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
