Save time by downloading the library's
premade Word document in MLA format from our guide! It has a placeholder for you to edit your name in, and all fonts and spacing are already defaulted to the correct format.
Microsoft Word (installed Microsoft 365 version)
There are several slightly different ways to do this. This is the most direct way:
- Go to the Insert tab.
- In the Header & Footer grouping, click on Page Number > Top of Page > Plain Number 3. This should add a page number to the far-right corner of the top of the page.
- Click in front of the number (or hit the left arrow key). Type your last name followed by a space.
- Be sure the font and size matches the rest of your document! (Likely Times New Roman size 12.)
Microsoft Word (Office 365 browser/cloud version)
Unlike the desktop version, the header is not quite part of the regular document for editing. It'll look a little different while you're in there.
- Go to Insert > Page Numbers > select the top-right option which depicts a number in the upper-right corner of the page.
- Double-click on the number that was added to open the header up.
- Click in front of the number placeholder < # > and type your last name followed by a space.
- Make sure the font is correct! Select your name and page number placeholder, then click to the Home tab to adjust the font and size.
Google Docs
- Go to Insert > Page Numbers > select the top-left option which depicts page numbers on all page in the upper-right. This should add a page number to the far-right corner of the top of the page.
- Click in front of the number (or hit the left arrow key). Type your last name followed by a space.
- Be sure the font and size matches the rest of your document! (Likely Times New Roman size 12.)
