What is a header/footer used for in Excel?

A header or footer in Excel is specifically designed to display relevant information at the top or bottom of printed pages. This includes elements such as page numbers, dates, document titles, or any custom text that helps to identify or provide context for the printed content. By incorporating headers and footers, users can enhance the readability and organization of their printed materials, ensuring that critical information is readily available without cluttering the main worksheet area.

This functionality is important for creating professional documents, especially when sharing printouts of spreadsheets for presentations or reports. It provides a way to consistently present organized information that aids in navigating between pages, which is particularly useful in multi-page reports. Thus, the use of headers and footers adds significant value to Excel's printing capabilities and ensures that key details accompany the data visuals.