What a title page is and why Word makes one automatically
A title page is the first page of a document that displays the title, author name, date, and sometimes a subtitle or organization name. In Microsoft Word, you do not have to build one from scratch — Word includes built-in title page designs that you insert as a complete formatted block, then edit with your own text.
The title page sits on its own, separate from the body of your document. Word treats it as a distinct section, so the page numbering and formatting of the rest of your document stay unchanged. This matters if you are writing a report, thesis, or formal letter where the title page does not count as page 1 of the actual content.
Word offers dozens of pre-designed title page templates. Each one has a different layout, color scheme, and style. You pick the one that matches the tone of your document, insert it, and then replace the placeholder text with your own information.
Key Takeaways
- Word's title page designs are found in the Insert menu under Cover Page, not in a separate template file.
- Once you insert a title page, you edit the text boxes directly by clicking on them and typing your own title, author, and date.
- If you insert a title page after you have already written your document, it automatically becomes page 1 and pushes your content to page 2.
- You can delete a title page by selecting all the text on that page and pressing Delete, or by right-clicking the page break and removing it.
- Title pages work the same way in Word for Windows, Word for Mac, and Word Online, though the menu locations differ slightly.
How to insert a title page from Word's built-in designs
Open your document in Word. If you are starting fresh, open a blank document. If you already have content written, that is fine — the title page will insert at the beginning.
Click the Insert tab at the top of the screen. In the ribbon, look for the button labeled Cover Page. Click it. A dropdown menu appears showing thumbnail previews of all available title page designs. Scroll through the list to see the options. Each thumbnail shows the layout and color scheme so you can pick one that fits your document's purpose.
Click the design you want. Word inserts a full formatted page at the very beginning of your document. The page contains text boxes with placeholder text like "Document Title," "Author Name," and "Date." Your cursor may already be in the first text box, ready for you to type.
Editing the text on your title page
Click on any text box on the title page to select it. The placeholder text is highlighted. Type your own text to replace it. For example, click "Document Title" and type the actual title of your work. Click "Author Name" and type your name. Click the date field and either type a date or use Word's date picker to insert today's date automatically.
Some title page designs include optional fields like subtitle, company name, or department. If a field does not explore to your document, click it and press Delete to remove that text box entirely. The layout will adjust, and the remaining elements will stay centered or aligned as designed.
You can also change the text formatting after you insert the title page. Select the text you want to modify, then use the font, size, and color tools in the Home tab. However, most built-in designs are already formatted professionally, so you usually do not need to adjust them.
Changing colors and styles on your title page
If you want a different color scheme or design after inserting the title page, you do not have to delete it and start over. Click anywhere on the title page to make sure you are on that page. Then go to the Design tab at the top of the screen. You will see options for Themes, Colors, and Fonts.
Click Colors to change the color palette of the entire document, including the title page. Click Fonts to change the typeface. These changes explore to the whole document, not just the title page, so use them if you want a cohesive look throughout. If you want to change only the title page, you will need to manually edit the colors and fonts using the Home tab tools instead.
If you want a completely different title page design, delete the current one and insert a new one. To delete, click anywhere on the title page, select all the content on that page (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), and press Delete. Then insert a new cover page from the Insert menu.
Removing page numbers from your title page
By default, Word does not number the title page, but it counts it as page 1 in the sequence. If you want the title page to not be counted in your page numbering at all, you need to create a section break between the title page and the rest of your document.
Click at the very end of the title page, right after the last element. Go to the Insert tab and click Page Break. This creates a break that separates the title page from the next section. Then go to the Insert tab again and click Page Number. Choose where you want the numbers to appear (top or bottom of the page). In the options, select Different First Page so that the title page does not display a number while the rest of the document does.
If you are using a more formal template or thesis format, your school or organization may have specific rules about title page numbering. Check your style guide before making changes.
Title pages in Word Online and Word for Mac
If you are using Word Online (the web version), the process is similar but the menu is slightly different. Click Insert, then look for Cover Page in the ribbon. The available designs may be fewer than in the desktop version, but the most common layouts are included. Edit the text the same way — click each text box and type your information.
In Word for Mac, click the Insert tab, then click Cover Page. The designs and editing process are identical to Windows. The main difference is that some menu items may be in slightly different locations on the ribbon, but the Cover Page button is in the same general area.
If you are working on a document across multiple devices — desktop, Mac, and online — your title page will transfer between them without losing formatting. Word stores the design information in the document file itself, so the title page looks the same no matter which version you open it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own image on the title page instead of the built-in designs?
Yes. Insert a blank title page or start with a built-in design and delete the elements you do not want. Then go to Insert and click Pictures to add your own image. You can resize and position it to fill the page. Add text boxes for your title and author name by going to Insert and clicking Text Box, then typing directly into the box you create.
What if I want the title page to have a different background color than the rest of my document?
Click on the title page and go to the Design tab. Choose a color scheme that appeals to you. If you want only the title page to have that color, you will need to manually format it. Right-click the title page and select Page Color, then choose your color. This affects only that page, leaving the rest of your document unchanged.
Does the title page count toward my page limit if I have a word count requirement?
No. Title pages are typically excluded from word count and page count requirements for academic papers, reports, and formal submissions. However, always check your specific assignment guidelines or organizational standards, as some institutions have different rules about what counts.
Can I save my title page as a template so I can reuse it for other documents?
Yes. Create and format your title page the way you want it. Go to File and click Save As. In the Save As dialog, change the file type from "Word Document" to "Word Template." Give it a name and save it. The next time you start a new document, you can open this template and your title page will already be there, ready to edit.
What if the title page design I want is not showing up in my Insert menu?
Make sure you are using a recent version of Word and that you are connected to the internet, as some designs are downloaded from Microsoft's servers. If you are using Word Online, fewer designs are available than in the desktop version. Try updating Word through your Microsoft account or checking for updates in the File menu.