I think the problem your having is trying to use a automated method of doing things and expecting the flexibility as of you were to do it manually.

Headers and footer were designed to eliminate the need to manually redo redounded information. So if your header and footer changes often you may want to take a different approach.

If you have a 50 page document in which you your header/footer change 5 times through out. then create 5 templates and insert as "Text from file" or "embedded object" with the " Link to File" selected.

"Link to File" is useful when you want to insert an object multiple times in a document and be able to just modify the object template in which the results will then appear in all the document where the object has been inserted.

NOTE: If you do not check the "Link to File" check box then the object will be inserted and become detached from the actual file. So if you later change the object template, the object on your page will not be affected.

This gives you automation and the flexibility that I think you are seeking.

The object command are in the "Insert Menu" and then click on "Object"

Paul