Put text, page numbers, the date or the document name at the top and bottom of every page.
Quick answer
To add a header and footer to a PDF, open PDFella's Header & Footer tool, upload the file and type into the left, centre and right boxes for the header and footer. Use {page}, {pages}, {date} and {name} for automatic values, then click Apply and download.
Updated 5 October 2026 by the PDFella team
Key facts
Step by step
Drag your PDF onto the upload area or click Choose file. It opens in your browser straight away. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
Fill in any of the six boxes (left, centre, right for header and footer). Tokens {page}, {pages}, {date} and {name} are replaced automatically on each page.
Choose the font size and optional page range, then apply. Text is added as real, searchable text.
Rename the file if you like and click Download. You can also open the result in the editor to keep working on it.
Why PDFella
Page number, total pages, today's date and file name.
Left, centre and right in both header and footer.
Apply to all pages or only some.
Your files never leave your device, which keeps confidential documents private and makes processing fast.
A common setup is the document name on the top left, the date on the top right, and 'Page {page} of {pages}' centred in the footer. That's the default, so most people can click Apply straight away.
Consultants
Brand reports with the client name and date.
Legal teams
Mark documents as drafts with the date on every page.
Students
Add their name and page numbers to coursework.
Yes. Type {date} into any header or footer box.
Yes. Use {page} and {pages}, e.g. Page {page} of {pages}.
No. Everything runs in your browser.
Yes, with no account.
Yes. Enter a page range in the Pages box.
Yes. It's written into the PDF as real text.
Free, private and done in seconds. No account needed.
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