The standard fields on a fax cover sheet, from To and From to the CC and RE lines, and what each one is actually for.
- A fax cover sheet is the introductory page sent ahead of the main fax document, listing sender, recipient, and message details.
- Standard fields include To, From, Date, Re (subject), CC (additional recipients), and total page count.
- Fax.Plus builds a cover sheet automatically from the fields entered when sending, or lets Premium and higher plans use a custom or shared template instead.
What Are the Fields on a Fax Cover Sheet?
A fax cover sheet is the introductory page transmitted ahead of the actual document, giving the recipient the context needed to route and understand the fax before reading it. Unlike the technical fax header transmitted with every page, which is generated automatically by the sending device, a cover sheet's fields are filled in by the sender for that specific transmission.
The Standard Fields, Explained
Most fax cover sheet templates share the same core fields:
- To / From: the recipient's and sender's name, company, and often fax number.
- Date: when the fax was sent.
- Re: short for "regarding," a one-line subject describing what the fax is about.
- CC: any additional party who should be aware of the fax, even though it isn't addressed to them directly.
- Number of Pages: the total page count, cover sheet included, so the recipient knows if the transmission cut off early.
- Comments or Notes: a free-text field for context that doesn't fit elsewhere.
These fields work alongside, not instead of, the automatically transmitted Station ID printed in the margin of every page, which identifies the sending line rather than the sender's name.
Filling One Out on Fax.Plus
Fax.Plus generates a cover sheet automatically from the recipient, subject, and note fields entered when sending, no separate document required, see this walkthrough for filling out a cover sheet's required fields. Premium and higher plans can instead import a custom cover sheet template, and Enterprise teams can use a Shared Cover Sheet the whole account has access to, which keeps Fax.Plus's secure fax handling consistent across every fax a team sends.
A Common Case: Routing a Multi-Party Fax
A management consulting firm in Pennsylvania sends a signed engagement letter by fax and uses the CC field to loop in a second partner on the account, without addressing the fax to them directly. The Re field spells out the engagement name so both recipients know what the fax covers before opening it.
FAQs
What does RE mean on a fax cover sheet?
RE stands for "regarding" or "reference." It introduces the subject of the fax in a short phrase, so the recipient knows what the transmission is about before reading the attached pages.
Is a fax cover sheet the same as a fax header?
No. A cover sheet is an introductory page the sender fills in with recipient, subject, and note details for that specific transmission. A fax header is a technical line generated automatically by the sending device and printed in the margin of every page, not something the sender edits.
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