The quick answer
Check the header-height allocation on body, alongside the macro referenced by header. In this example, replacing 10px with 15% gives the letterhead enough space above the same sample’s shipping and total area. Preview again, compare the sample, then save the copied template.
The macro defines the header’s content. header-height reserves page space for the macro; it does not resize or automatically fit the letterhead. A tall letterhead can extend beyond an allocation that is too small.
Names and sample values are fictional. This walkthrough covers a saved template and a one-page sample preview.
Before you start
Use a copied custom template in a sandbox or controlled test account, with the original source preserved. Advanced PDF/HTML Templates must be enabled, and your role must be able to edit the template. Menus and permissions vary by account. Changes to a shared template can affect every form that uses it.
The example uses Dispatch Sales Order PDF/HTML Template. Its existing nlheader macro contains a three-line letterhead; nlfooter contains the company name. These IDs are examples: check the actual definitions and references in your own template.
01. Inspect the existing allocation
Go to Customization > Forms > Advanced PDF/HTML Templates, edit the copied template and turn on Source Code if needed.
Find the header and footer definitions under <macrolist>. Then find the opening <body> tag. The example begins with these attributes:
<body header="nlheader" header-height="10px"
footer="nlfooter" footer-height="20pt"
padding="0.5in" size="Letter">
The macro references must match the actual IDs. Preserve the existing footer allocation, padding and page size while testing the header. Declare header and footer heights explicitly; do not rely on automatic fitting or assume that an omitted height is safe.
02. Inspect the overlapping sample
Choose Preview and wait for the document to finish loading. Here, the letterhead intrudes into Ship To and Total. The sample is SO63840 for Lakefront Services, totaling $480.00. The viewer shows one page.
Check the existing item rows and figures before returning to the editor. This is sample data, so it does not establish a saved sales order’s print result.
03. Change only header-height
In the opening body tag, replace header-height="10px" with header-height="15%". Keep the quotes and attribute spelling. Leave the macro contents, header and footer references, footer-height="20pt", padding="0.5in", Letter size and body content unchanged.
Keep the units exact: 10px is different from 10%. The tested 15% value fits this example; it is not a universal setting. Choose and test an allocation for the actual letterhead, image size, wrapping and page setup. Percentage values are not inherently better than fixed lengths.
04. Compare the same sample
Preview again. The letterhead is now separated from the shipping and total area.
Confirm the same order reference, customer, item order and figures. The four sample rows remain Work Gloves: 4 × $60 = $240, Safety Glasses: 4 × $25 = $100, Cable Ties: 4 × $10 = $40 and Tool Bag: 1 × $100 = $100. The total remains $480.00, and the viewer still shows one page.
Return to the editor. Preview has not saved the template.
05. Save the copied template
Choose Save and Edit and confirm the successful save.
The confirmation establishes that the edited template was saved. The corrected sample preview was verified separately before saving; it does not prove real transaction output. Before using it for real transactions, separately verify the intended form’s Advanced printing assignment and actual output paths. Test longer documents, later-page headers and footers, wrapping, images and footer clearance. If the result is unsuitable, restore the preserved original source and retest.
Common questions
Why does my header overlap the body?
The content can be taller than the space allocated by header-height. Inspect both the macro content and the body attribute. Images, wrapping and page setup can change the required space. Increasing an allocation fixes this example; other layout problems need their own diagnosis.
Should every template use header-height="15%"?
No. It is the tested value for this example. Use an allocation appropriate to your content and page setup, then verify representative output. Changing units changes the value’s meaning.
Can I remove header-height and let it fit automatically?
Declare the header and footer height allocations explicitly. Do not assume that omission provides automatic fitting or safe clearance. Check the macro IDs and their references as well as the heights.
Does Preview save the template or prove real transaction output?
No. Preview uses sample data and can show unsaved source. Save successfully, then separately verify the applicable form’s printing assignment and the actual transaction/output path you intend to use.
Does one page prove that headers and footers repeat correctly?
No. This example checks one sample page. Use longer representative documents to verify pagination, later-page headers and footers, and clearance around the actual content.
Does increasing header-height resize the letterhead?
No. It reserves more page space. Image dimensions, font size, wrapping and the macro’s markup still determine its content height. If overlap remains, inspect those details, including padding, margins and positioned elements.
Can a larger header allocation change pagination?
Yes. Reserving more space for a header or footer leaves less space for body content and can move page breaks. Check longer representative documents separately.