The article header is the section at the top of every article on your knowledge base site. It sits above the article content and displays contextual information and reader tools - such as who contributed to the article, how long it takes to read, and options to share, print, or download the article as a PDF.
All article header settings are configured globally from Article settings & SEO and apply to every article in your knowledge base. You cannot configure these settings for individual articles, categories, workspaces, or languages.
When to configure the article header
- When setting up a new knowledge base - enable the elements that match your reader experience goals before publishing. Each element is off by default in some configurations, so review them as part of initial setup.
- When readers need social proof - enabling Show contributors shows readers who wrote and reviewed an article, building trust in the content's accuracy.
- When your articles are long or technical - enabling Show read time estimate helps readers plan their time before starting a long article.
- When you want readers to stay informed - enabling Show Follow button lets readers subscribe to article updates and receive email notifications when the article is changed.
- When you need readers to share content - enabling Show share options gives readers a one-click way to share articles on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, or via email.
How to configure the article header
- Navigate to Settings () > Knowledge base site in the left navigation bar of the Knowledge base portal.
- In the left navigation pane, navigate to Article settings & SEO.
- In the Article settings tab, expand the Article header accordion.
- Turn on the toggles for the elements you want to display.
- Click Save.
After enabling these options, view an article as a reader on the knowledge base site to confirm that each element displays as expected.
Article header elements
The following elements can be enabled or disabled from the Article header accordion:
| # | Element | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Show contributors | Displays a list of team members who contributed to the article. Readers can click a contributor's name to see all articles they have contributed to within the project |
| 2 | Show read time estimate | Displays an estimated reading time at a rate of 1 minute per 200 words |
| 3 | Show Follow button | Displays a Follow () button, allowing readers to subscribe to article updates. See Follow articles and categories |
| 4 | Show favorite option | Displays a ❤️ icon on articles, decision trees, API endpoints, and page categories, allowing logged-in readers to add or remove items from their favorites. Available only for private users (team accounts, readers, and SSO users). Previously favorited items are restored when re-enabled |
| 5 | Show share options | Displays a Share () icon. When clicked, shows sharing options for X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and Email — each can be turned on or off individually |
| 6 | Show print button | Allows readers to click the More () icon to access a print option, which opens a print preview panel |
| 7 | Show published/updated date | Displays the article's publication date and last updated date |
| 8 | Show download as PDF button | Displays an Export PDF icon in the article header. Includes two sub-options: Allow multiple articles download (lets readers export multiple articles at once - single exports go to local storage, multiple exports are delivered by email and available in the Notifications section for 30 days) and Allow users to choose PDF template while exporting (lets readers pick a PDF template; if unchecked, the default template is used) |
On smaller screens, some header actions (such as Print and Export PDF) may move into the More (⋯) menu based on available screen space.
How to localize article header text
You can translate or customize the default text labels in the article header — such as "Updated on", "Published on", "Read time", "Contributors", "Follow", and "Share" — using the Localization variables feature.
- Navigate to Settings () in the left navigation bar of the Knowledge base portal.
- In the left navigation pane, navigate to Knowledge base portal > Workspace & localization.
- In the Localization variables tab, expand the Article header accordion.
- Select the desired language and update the text labels you want to customize.
- Click Save.
By default, the system localizes variables to the respective language. You only need to update them if you want to use custom text that differs from the default localization.
Best practices
- Enable Show contributors for team-authored knowledge bases - contributor attribution builds reader trust and gives credit to your team, especially on technical or compliance-sensitive articles.
- Enable Show read time for long-form articles - readers appreciate knowing how long an article is before they start. This is especially useful for tutorials, how-to guides, and API references.
- Enable Show follow button if your content is updated frequently - readers who follow articles receive email notifications on changes, reducing the need for readers to manually check for updates.
- Use the Favorite option for private knowledge bases - logged-in readers can bookmark frequently referenced articles, improving their return experience.
- Test header changes after enabling - header settings apply globally but render differently depending on article length and screen size. Always check a long article and a short article to verify the layout looks correct.
FAQ
How do I export a draft article as a PDF?
Navigate to the draft article in the Knowledge base portal. Click the More () icon near the share option. Click Export PDF to download a formatted PDF to your computer.
Can I hide contributor details from the knowledge base site?
Yes. Navigate to {{variable.Settings}} () > {{variable.Knowledge base site}} > Article settings & SEO. Expand the Article header accordion and turn off the Show article contributors toggle.
How do I hide the Print option on the knowledge base site?
Navigate to {{variable.Settings}} () > {{variable.Knowledge base site}} > Article settings & SEO. Expand the Article header accordion and turn off the Show print button toggle.
How do I hide the Export PDF option on the knowledge base site?
Navigate to {{variable.Settings}} () > {{variable.Knowledge base site}} > Article settings & SEO. Expand the Article header accordion and turn off the Show download as PDF button toggle.
How do I set my default email application for the Share > Email feature?
When a reader clicks the Share icon and selects Email, it opens in the browser's default email application. To change this on Windows: open Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for Email, and select your preferred email client. Then scroll to Choose defaults by protocol, find MAILTO, and assign it to your email application. On macOS: open the Mail app, go to Mail > Settings (or Preferences) > General, and set your preferred Default email reader.
Why are email links (mailto:) opening a blank page instead of my email client?
This happens when your system does not have a default application configured to handle email links (the MAILTO protocol). This is a system-level setting and not an issue with Document360. Follow the steps in the FAQ above to set your default email application and assign the MAILTO protocol on Windows or macOS.