How to Add a Running Head in Google Docs
A running head is a short version of your document's title that appears at the top of every page — a standard requirement for APA-formatted papers, academic submissions, and professional reports. Google Docs doesn't have a dedicated "running head" button, but it absolutely supports the feature through its header tools. Here's how it works, and what affects the outcome depending on your setup.
What Is a Running Head?
In academic writing — particularly APA 6th edition format — a running head is an abbreviated title (50 characters or fewer) that appears in the header of every page. On the title page, it's labeled with the words "Running head:" followed by the title in all caps. On subsequent pages, it shows only the title in all caps, without the label.
APA 7th edition simplified this: running heads are no longer required for student papers, only for manuscripts being submitted for publication. Knowing which format your institution or publication requires changes how you'll set this up.
How to Insert a Header in Google Docs
The foundation of any running head is the document header. Here's how to open it:
- Click Insert in the top menu
- Select Headers & footers
- Click Header
Alternatively, double-click at the very top of any page — Google Docs will open the header area automatically.
Once you're in the header, you'll see a text field that spans the full width of the page. Whatever you type here will repeat on every page by default.
Setting Up the Running Head: Step-by-Step
For APA 6th Edition (with "Running head:" label)
The title page header and body page headers are different — which is where most users run into trouble.
Step 1: Enable "Different first page"
Once your cursor is in the header area, look for the checkbox labeled "Different first page" that appears in the header toolbar. Check this box. This separates your title page header from the rest of the document.
Step 2: Format the title page header
On page one, type:
Running head: YOUR SHORTENED TITLE IN ALL CAPS Align this text to the left. The page number typically goes on the right side of the same header line.
Step 3: Add the page number
With your cursor still in the header, place it where you want the page number (usually far right). Go to Insert → Page numbers and select the format that places numbers in the header. Use a tab stop or right-alignment to push the number to the right margin.
Step 4: Format the body page header
Click into the header on page two (the first body page). Here, type only the title — no "Running head:" label:
YOUR SHORTENED TITLE IN ALL CAPS Again, align left, with the page number at the right.
For APA 7th Edition (Student Papers — No Running Head Needed)
If you're writing a student paper under APA 7th edition guidelines, you typically only need page numbers in the header — no running head text. Just insert the header, add page numbers, and you're done.
For professional manuscripts following APA 7th edition, the running head setup mirrors APA 6th but without the "Running head:" label on the title page — both the first page and subsequent pages use the same all-caps shortened title.
Common Variables That Affect Your Setup 📄
Not every user will have the same experience, and a few factors determine what your process looks like:
| Variable | How It Affects the Setup |
|---|---|
| APA edition required | Determines whether you need the "Running head:" label at all |
| Student vs. professional paper | APA 7th removes running heads for student papers entirely |
| Google Docs version/platform | Desktop browser offers the most control; mobile apps have limited header editing |
| Existing template in use | Pre-built APA templates may already include a running head placeholder |
| Document length and sections | Multi-section documents may require additional header adjustments |
Using Google Docs APA Templates
Google Docs offers built-in templates that include pre-formatted headers. To access them:
- Go to docs.google.com
- Click Template gallery at the top
- Look under Education for APA-style templates
These templates often pre-configure the "Different first page" setting and include placeholder text for the running head. They can save setup time, but you'll still need to replace the placeholder text with your actual title and verify the formatting matches your specific edition requirements.
Formatting Details That Matter
Font and size: Headers should match your document's body font. APA typically requires Times New Roman 12pt or a similarly readable serif font, though some institutions accept Calibri or Arial.
All caps: The shortened title in the running head must be in ALL CAPS, not just title case.
Character limit: The running head title cannot exceed 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation. If your full title is long, shorten it meaningfully — not just by cutting words from the end.
Tab stops: Getting the title left-aligned and the page number right-aligned on the same line requires a right-aligned tab stop. In Google Docs, go to Format → Align & indent → Tab stops to set this precisely if the default tab doesn't reach the right margin cleanly.
Mobile and Tablet Limitations 📱
Google Docs on Android and iOS has a simplified header editor. You can enter text and enable "Different first page," but precise tab stop control and fine formatting adjustments are harder to execute. For anything requiring exact APA compliance, the desktop browser version gives you the most reliable control over header formatting.
Whether the mobile limitations matter depends entirely on how strictly your submission will be checked — a professor reviewing formatting carefully and a quick internal report are very different situations, and the effort worth investing varies accordingly.