Running headers and running footers

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In a printed manual, a running header or running footer can show:

only the title of the current chapter

only the title of the parent top-level chapter

both the title of the current chapter plus the title of the parent top-level chapter

A running header or footer:

helps users to find a particular topic when browsing through a manual

provides orientation on the current position within the manual

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Basic rules

In general: Use running headers or running footers if you can.

Only add running headers or running footers if your authoring tool can update them automatically.

Don’t use running headers or running footers in very short documents (less than approximately 20 pages).

When possible, use a running header rather than a running footer because this better reflects the readers’ decision chain (first check what the page is about, then read).

In the header, don’t include any redundant information, such as the document title, version number, or release date.

If your document has a flat, simple structure, only show the title of the current chapter.

If your document has a deep, complex structure or is very long, show both the title of the current chapter plus the title of the top-level chapter.

Examples

The following picture compares two versions:

a running header that shows only the current chapter title

a running header that shows the current chapter title plus the parent top-level chapter title

 


Breadcrumb trail

Designing: Where to position headers, footers, and page numbers?