How do I add a running head in Google Docs?

Adding a running head in Google Docs involves accessing the header section of your document and then typing in the required text, often following specific formatting guidelines. This is a common requirement for academic papers, especially those following styles like APA.

Step-by-Step Guide to Inserting a Running Head

Follow these detailed steps to successfully add a running head to your Google Docs document:

1. Access the Header Section:

   • Navigate to the top of the first page of your Google Docs document.
   • You can either double-click in the very top margin area of the page, or go to the Google Docs menu bar and select Insert > Headers & footers > Header. Either method will open the header area for editing.

2. Type Your Running Head:

   • Once the header section is active, you will see a dotted line indicating the header area.
   • Before any existing page numbers, type "Running head:" followed by your paper's title.
   • The title part of your running head should typically be abbreviated if necessary and written in all capital letters.
   • Example: For a paper titled "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Modern Education," your running head might be: Running head: IMPACT OF AI ON EDUCATION.

3. Adhere to Character Limits:

   • It's crucial to keep your running head concise. A common guideline, especially in APA style, dictates that the running head (including letters, punctuation, and spaces) should not exceed 50 characters.
   • Count carefully to ensure your abbreviated title fits this constraint.

4. Add Page Numbers (if not already present):

   • If your document doesn't already have page numbers in the header, you'll want to add them.
   • While in the header section, click on Options (usually a small dropdown near the header area) or go to Insert > Page numbers.
   • Choose the option that places page numbers in the top right corner. Ensure the page number appears after your running head.

Important Considerations for Running Heads

Different academic style guides have specific requirements for running heads. Understanding these nuances ensures your document is formatted correctly.

• APA Style Specifics:

  • For APA 7th edition, the "Running head:" label is only used on the first page. Subsequent pages only display the abbreviated title in all caps and the page number. To achieve this in Google Docs:
    1. After entering "Running head: [TITLE]" on the first page, click the Options dropdown in the header and select Different first page.
    2. Now, go to the header of the second page. Delete "Running head:" and leave only the abbreviated title in all caps, followed by the page number. This change will apply to all subsequent pages.
  • The font and size of the running head should match the rest of your document's body text (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt).

• Character Count Table:

Element	Requirement	Example
"Running head:" text	Only on the first page (for APA 7th ed.)	Running head:
Title Abbreviation	All capital letters	IMPACT OF AI ON EDUCATION
Character Limit	Maximum 50 characters (including spaces/punctuation)	IMPACT OF AI ON EDUCATION (27 chars)
Placement	Top-left, with page number top-right	Running head: TITLE 1

Troubleshooting and Advanced Tips

• Header Alignment: By default, Google Docs often centers header text. You'll need to left-align the running head and right-align the page number. Use the alignment options in the toolbar (or press Ctrl + Shift + L for left align, Ctrl + Shift + R for right align). You may need to use tabs (Tab key) to push the page number to the right margin.
• Removing a Running Head: To remove a running head, simply double-click into the header area and delete the text. If you want to remove headers entirely, go to Format > Headers & footers > Remove header.
• Section Breaks and Headers: If your document has section breaks, you can have different headers for different sections. To do this, ensure the "Link to previous" option in the header toolbar is deselected after inserting a section break. This allows you to edit the header for the new section independently.

By following these steps, you can effectively add a professional and correctly formatted running head to your Google Docs document, adhering to common academic standards.