The fastest way: use Word's built-in cover page gallery

Open your document in Microsoft Word. Click the Insert tab at the top of the screen. In the ribbon, find and click Cover Page. Word will show you a gallery of pre-designed cover pages — scroll through and click the one you want. Word inserts it at the beginning of your document automatically.

The cover page appears as a full page with placeholder text for a title, subtitle, author name, and date. Click any placeholder and type to replace it with your own text. You can change fonts, colors, and alignment the same way you would edit any other text in Word.

If you do not like the design you chose, go back to Insert > Cover Page and pick a different one. Word replaces the old cover page with the new design while keeping your text.

Key Takeaways

  • Word's cover page templates are found under the Insert tab and insert a full formatted page at the start of your document.
  • You can edit the placeholder text directly by clicking on it and typing your own title, author name, and other details.
  • Changing your mind about the design is straightforward — pick a new template from the gallery and Word swaps it in while keeping your text.
  • If you want a custom cover page instead of a template, you can delete the template page and create your own using text boxes and formatting.
  • Cover pages created from templates automatically push your document content to page two, so your introduction or chapter one starts fresh.

Editing the text on your cover page

After you insert a cover page, Word fills it with placeholder boxes like "Title Here" and "Subtitle Here." Click directly on any placeholder to select it, then type your own text. The placeholder disappears as soon as you start typing.

You can format the text the same way you format text anywhere else in Word. Highlight the text, then use the Home tab to change the font, size, color, or alignment. If you want to remove a placeholder entirely without replacing it, click on it and press Delete.

Removing or replacing a cover page

If you decide you do not want a cover page after all, click anywhere on the cover page itself. Then press Ctrl+A to select the entire page, and press Delete. This removes the cover page but keeps the rest of your document intact.

To replace the cover page with a different design, go to Insert > Cover Page again and choose a new template. Word automatically removes the old one and inserts the new design in its place, keeping any text you typed.

Creating a custom cover page without a template

If none of Word's built-in designs match what you need, you can create your own. Start a new blank page at the beginning of your document by clicking at the very start of your first line of text, then pressing Ctrl+Enter. This creates a page break and pushes your content down.

On this blank page, you can add text, images, and shapes manually. Use the Insert tab to add a text box, image, or shape. Position and format them however you want. This approach takes longer than using a template, but gives you complete control over the layout and appearance.

Keeping your cover page separate from the rest of your document

When you insert a cover page using Word's templates, it automatically sits on its own page. Your document content starts on page two. If you created a custom cover page, make sure there is a page break between it and your main content — click at the start of your first real paragraph and press Ctrl+Enter to add one.

You can also use different page numbering for your cover page. Right-click on the page number at the bottom of page two, select Edit Footer, then check the box for Different First Page. This lets you hide the page number on the cover while numbering the rest of your document starting from page one or page two, depending on your preference.

Cover pages in different Word versions

The steps above work in Word 2016 and later, including Word for Microsoft 365 (the subscription version). If you use an older version of Word, the Cover Page option may be in a different location or may not exist at all.

In Word Online (the free browser version), cover page templates are not available. You can create a cover page manually by adding text and formatting it, or by inserting a text box and positioning it where you want it. The process is slower but produces the same result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a cover page template and then change the colors and fonts?

Yes. After inserting a template, click on any text element and format it using the Home tab. You can change fonts, sizes, colors, and alignment individually. You can also right-click on the page background to change the background color or add a different image.

Does the cover page count toward my page count?

Yes, the cover page is page one of your document. If you want your introduction or chapter one to be page one in the reader's mind, you can hide the page number on the cover page by using the Different First Page option in the footer settings.

What if I want to add a cover page to the middle of my document instead of the beginning?

Click at the start of the page where you want the cover page to appear, then press Ctrl+Enter to create a page break. Go to Insert > Cover Page and choose your design. Word inserts it at that location. You may need to delete the extra blank page that appears.

Can I save a cover page design I created so I can use it in other documents?

Word does not have a straightforward built-in way to save custom cover pages as reusable templates. Your best option is to save the document with the cover page you created, then copy and paste the cover page into new documents when you need it.

Why does my cover page look different on someone else's computer?

Cover page templates use specific fonts and colors. If those fonts are not installed on another computer, Word substitutes similar fonts, which can change the appearance. Stick to common fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman if your document will be shared with others.