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How do I Restore Headers and Footers After Insertion of Section Break

Anonymous
2012-09-30T13:50:20+00:00

I took over the maintenance of a large Word 2003 Document, now being read by Word 2007 in Compatibility Mode. One of the things I noticed is that there was a Section Break in the middle of the document. I don't know the reason for the section break, which is not inserted for any formatting reason. But it is resetting my Headers and Footers, which are not even set after the section break in the document. I want to retain the old Headers and Footers throughout the document, but I can't remove the section break because the Headers and Footers disappear with the section break removed, as they are supposed to. So how do I move the section break to the end of the document, or have my headers and footers continue seamlessly after the section break. Headers and Footers also contain page numbers, which changes as the document changes, so I can't even put a new header and footer in the document since the page numbers would not be correct. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Jay Freedman 207.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2012-09-30T14:13:29+00:00

First, double-click the header area on any page in the section after the section break. On the Header & Footer Tools tab of the ribbon, click the Link to Previous button. You'll be prompted whether to "delete this header/footer and connect to the header/footer in the previous section". Click Yes. You'll now see the same header in both sections.

Now you can delete the section break, and the single combined section will have the same header as before.

> I can't even put a new header and footer in the document since the page numbers would not be correct.

That's a misconception. The page numbers are inherent in the document; the header only shows them or does not show them.

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Anonymous
2012-09-30T14:31:58+00:00

Jay's approach should work.

If you want to find more information about the formatting associated with the section break the "Crosseyes" addon:

Formatting Problems? Install CrossEyes - http://www.levitjames.com/Products/CrossEyes.aspx****

This tool adds a pane that converts Word formatting into HTML/WordPefect like “codes”, displaying a WordPerfect like “Reveal Codes” pane. It is a great complement to MS’s inadequate attempt in the <SHF><F1> “Reveal Formatting” pane.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-02T04:23:41+00:00

    First, double-click the header area on any page in the section after the section break. On the Header & Footer Tools tab of the ribbon, click the Link to Previous button. You'll be prompted whether to "delete this header/footer and connect to the header/footer in the previous section". Click Yes. You'll now see the same header in both sections.

    Now you can delete the section break, and the single combined section will have the same header as before.

    > I can't even put a new header and footer in the document since the page numbers would not be correct.

    That's a misconception. The page numbers are inherent in the document; the header only shows them or does not show them.

    This is a perfect response combining theory and practicality. I learned why this was happening, how to correct it, and picked up information which I previously had a misconception about, which has now been corrected. Thank you very much. A knotty problem solved!

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