Want to Get your Dissertation Accepted?

Discover how we've helped doctoral students complete their dissertations and advance their academic careers!

how to add page numbers in essays

Join 200+ Graduated Students

textbook-icon

Get Your Dissertation Accepted On Your Next Submission

Get customized coaching for:.

  • Crafting your proposal,
  • Collecting and analyzing your data, or
  • Preparing your defense.

Trapped in dissertation revisions?

How to insert page numbers: apa 7th edition guidelines, published by steve tippins on january 17, 2022 january 17, 2022.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 02:56 am

There are straightforward guidelines for inserting page numbers according to APA 7th edition guidelines. To start with, here are the basics:

  • The numbers should be put in a header at the top right of the page.
  • They should be the same font and size as the rest of your paper.
  • Number the first page, with a 1. Thereafter, each of the subsequent pages will be numbered automatically.
  • Do not write “page” or “p.” or “pp.”

Here are step-by-step instructions for inserting APA page numbers, with screenshots to guide your way.

Inserting Numeral Page Numbers

Step 1: Open the “Header & Footer” tab in the header, click on Insert and select “Page Number.”

To insert page numbers, first click the page number button on the far right

Step 2: If you want to have a different first page and do not want number 1 to appear on this page, then click on “Different First Page.”

You may wish to click "different first page" depending on which page you want it the page numbers to start on

Step 3: From the drop-down list, choose “Top of Page.” Next, choose “Plain Number 3.”

click "top of page" for APA page numbers

Step 4: Click on “Close Header and Footer” in the ribbon.

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

how to add page numbers in essays

Inserting Roman Numeral Page Numbers

If you need to paginate front matter material, such as an abstract, acknowledgments, or table of contents, the process is a little different.

Step 1: Insert a section break between the front material and Chapter 1.

Step 2: In the “Layout” tab, click on the drop-down arrow beside “Breaks.”

Step 3: Click on “Next Page” in “Section Breaks.”

click the dropdown menu beside "breaks" and then click "next page" under the "section breaks" heading.

Step 4: Repeats steps 1 or 2 above. In the drop-down list, open “Format Page Numbers.”

click on "format page numbers"

Step 5: Select “Roman” in the “Page Number Format” part of the drop-down list.

Step 6: On the first page of Chapter 1, repeat the above process. This is when you begin to start numbering the pages of your Chapter 1 using numerals 1, 2, 3, etc. To paginate Chapter 1 as page 1, choose “Start at,” and then put in the number 1.

click on the dropdown menu on "number format" and then, at the bottom of the menu below "page numbering," select "start at" and choose the appropriate page

Note : For more information, refer to Section 2.18 of the APA Publication Manual , Seventh Edition.

For help with APA style and much more, check out our Dissertation Editing Services or book a free consultation .

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

Related Posts

grad student working on his dissertation at home

How to Create a Table of Contents for a Dissertation (APA)

In your dissertation, you will need to have a table of contents. The table of contents should contain all the headings, subheadings, preliminary pages, and supplementary pages in the body of your paper. APA does Read more…

person typing on a laptop with a numbers overlay on top

APA Numbers

APA uses the American style imperial standard system of measurement, although it does allow the use of the metric system of measurement if there is a need for it. If you need it, the APA Read more…

woman writing an academic paper on her laptop

APA Paragraph Format

To format your text paragraphs in your papers, you will need to follow a few APA guidelines so that their appearance will be consistent. Consistency in size of paragraphs means that paragraphs are more than Read more…

Banner

APA Style Guide, 7th ed.

  • About this Guide
  • Title Page and Page Numbers
  • Paper Elements and Headings
  • Citation Elements
  • In-Text Citations
  • Authors and Contributors
  • Entries and Chapters
  • Books and Ebooks
  • Websites and Webpages
  • TV, Film, and Video
  • Music and Podcasts
  • Social Media
  • Interviews and Personal Communication
  • Artwork and Maps
  • Need More Help?

A title page should be included unless otherwise specified by your instructor. All elements should be centered both vertically on the paper, and the title should be placed three to four lines from the top of the page. The title page should include :

  • Paper title
  • Author names
  • Author affiliation
  • Course number and name
  • Instructor name
  • Assignment due date

Example of title page formatting

Page Numbers and Headers

The APA Style Website provides guidelines for formatting the header in your paper.

For both student and professional papers, the page number should be included in the upper right corner on all pages including the title page.

For professional papers, the header will also include a running head.

Running Head

The running head is an abbreviated version of the title of your paper (or the full title if the title is already short). In the 7th edition guidelines, the running head is not required for student papers unless the instructor or institution requests it . Thus, typically only professional papers include a running head.

If required by your instructor, follow these instructions.

  • Use the header or page number functions of your word processing program to add the running head to the top left of the page. It should be in line with the page number.
  • The running head should appear in all caps and should display the title of the paper.
  • << Previous: Formatting Your Paper
  • Next: Paper Elements and Headings >>
  • Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024 12:32 PM
  • URL: https://researchguides.flc.losrios.edu/apa7

Banner Image

APA Guide: 7th Edition

Page numbers.

  • Figures/Images
  • Webpages and Other Online Content
  • Legal Citations
  • Writing Style
  • Summary of Changes

To insert page numbers in Microsoft Word:

          1.  Click the "Insert" tab in the top menu. 

          3 . Select Page Number,   then choose Plain Number 3  from the options. 

          4.  On the second page, Select Page Number , choose Plain Number 3 from the

               options. The page number will show up with a consecutive number in every page in the header.

          

  • << Previous: Paper Formatting
  • Next: Title Page >>
  • Last Updated: Jul 9, 2024 2:58 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.uta.edu/apa

University of Texas Arlington Libraries 702 Planetarium Place · Arlington, TX 76019 · 817-272-3000

  • Internet Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Problems with a guide? Contact Us.

Editarians

How to Add Page Numbers in APA Style

by Karen Crosby | Feb 25, 2020 | APA 101 , Technical Help | 0 comments

How to Number Pages in APA Style

Are you curious to learn how to add page numbers in APA Style? Whether you are writing to meet APA 6 or APA 7, we’ve got you covered!

Page numbering in APA 6 and APA 7

In APA Style, page numbering is (usually) straightforward:

  • The first page is numbered page 1.
  • Each page is numbered sequentially thereafter.
  • Numbers are positioned in the header at the top right of each page.

However, many graduate programs complicate matters by specifying different pagination requirements for thesis and dissertation submissions. The following deviations from the above guidelines are common:

1. No page number on the title page; the abstract is numbered as page 2.

2. The front matter, which includes the abstract, table of contents, and acknowledgements, is paginated in Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, etc.). Beginning with the first page of Chapter 1, pagination resets to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) and continues that way for the remainder of the paper.

3. A combination of both of the above, such that no page number appears on the title page and the abstract is numbered as page ii.

Adding page numbers in MS Word

Word has several ways to add pagination. Here are two easy options.

1. On the ribbon, click on the Insert tab and select Page Number.

Image showing how to insert page number in word.

2. Or, double click in the header of your document. This action opens the Header & Footer Tools Tab. From here, select Page Number. You can also select Different First Page, if you haven’t already, which you’ll need to  format the running head .

Image: showing the header and footer tab in MS Word.

Note : This tab disappears from the ribbon when you are not working in a header or footer. If you want to see it, just double click in a header or footer on any page.

3. Either way, from the drop-down list that opens, choose Top of Page and then the third option, Plain Number 3:

Image: showing the insert page number dialog.

Word will automatically add the page numbers and your cursor will appear next to the page number of the page you’re on, in the header.

  • You can exit the header either by double clicking on the page anywhere outside of it or by clicking Close Header and Footer in the ribbon.
  • While you’re in the header, you can add the running head.
  • You can format the numbering to Roman, if needed, which we cover next.

Formatting page numbers in Roman numerals

If your program calls for you to paginate front matter (abstract, acknowledgements, table of contents, etc.) using Roman numerals, and for Chapter 1 to start on page 1, never fear. We’ve got you covered!

First, you need to insert a section break between the front matter and Chapter 1. Without this break, Word won’t know when to stop one type of pagination and begin another.

1. Go to the Layout Tab on the ribbon and click the drop-down arrow next to Breaks to open the breaks dialogue box. Under Section Breaks, click Next Page.

Image: showing the insert page break dialog in Microsoft Word

2. Now that you have a break, let’s start in the first section (the front matter). Follow Steps 1 or 2 above to open the Page Number drop-down list. This time, choose Format Page Numbers:

Image: showing how to format page numbers in Microsoft Word

3. The Page Number Format dialogue box opens. Using the arrow next to Number format, choose the format from the drop-down list. You’ll want to select Roman (i, ii, iii…).

4. Repeat this process on the first page of Chapter 1. Here, you’ll want to select your number format to be 1, 2, 3. At the bottom of the dialogue box, you can choose for numbering to continue or restart. If you need to paginate Chapter 1 as page 1, you would choose Start at: and put 1 in the field.

Image: showing page number dialog in Microsoft Word

We’re here to help! Contact us if you have questions or submit your file : one of our experts can complete this work for you quickly and accurately.

Site Search

  • Ask the Editor
  • Technical Help
  • Writing Advice
  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Forums Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • Happiness Hub
  • This Or That Game
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Word

Easily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform

Easily add page numbers to the header or footer in your Microsoft Word document

Last Updated: September 28, 2024 Fact Checked

Inserting (PC & Mac)

Formatting (pc & mac), inserting (mobile), expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith . Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 878,198 times. Learn more...

Adding page numbers in Microsoft Word is easy! Whether you’re writing a 10-page essay or a thesis paper, there are a variety of ways to customize the page numbers. Use the Insert tab to quickly add page numbers. From there, you can change the formatting and numbering options. This wikiHow guide will show you how to add page numbers to your Microsoft Word document on Windows and macOS, as well as in the Word mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

  • On desktop or mobile, go to the Insert tab, then select "Page Number" to add page numbers.
  • Double-click the page number to make changes to the font, color, or style.
  • Double-click the header or footer , then go to Page Number > Format Page Numbers for additional options.

Step 1 Click Insert.

  • Don’t forget to save your work as you go !

Step 2 Click Page Number.

  • In the Insert menu, Page Number is near the center.
  • In the Header & Footer design tab, Page Number is on the left.

Step 3 Choose a page number position.

  • You can also toggle the option to include the page count in the page numbering (e.g. 1 of 3).
  • Selecting a page number position will open the “Header & Footer” tab.

Step 1 Double-click a page number.

  • You could even cross out the page numbers if that’s your style.

Step 2 Start numbering on the second page.

  • Double-click the header or footer to open the Header & Footer design tab.
  • Check the “Different First Page” checkbox.
  • Click Page Number then Format Page Numbers .
  • Select “Start at” and change it to 0.

Step 3 Restart page numbers by using page breaks.

  • Place your cursor at the beginning of the page you want to restart the numbering on.
  • Go to the Layout tab, then click Breaks .
  • Select Next Page in the Breaks options menu.
  • Double-click the header or footer in the second section. This will open the Header & Footer design tab.
  • Select the radio button labeled "Start At," then select "1" to restart the page count at 1.

Step 4 Use

  • The number format. You can change this to Roman numerals, letters, or another style.
  • The chapter number.
  • The starting number.

Step 5 Click Close Header and Footer.

  • When working in Online mode, any changes made in the app will appear on your desktop version of Word.

Kyle Smith

You Might Also Like

Make a Booklet in Word

  • If you plan on creating a complex header or footer (like your name, or a title), try and add the page numbers first. They will be much easier to work with. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • For more Microsoft Word guides, check out how to use document templates and how to merge documents . Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how to add page numbers in essays

  • ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-page-numbers-9f366518-0500-4b45-903d-987d3827c007

About This Article

Kyle Smith

1. Click Insert . 2. Click Page Number . 3. Select a position. 4. Choose a style. Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Do I Have a Dirty Mind Quiz

Featured Articles

 Make Your Android Screen Black and White or Grayscale

Trending Articles

 Work on Yourself: 11 Essential Tips for Self-Improvement

Watch Articles

Remove a Toothpaste Stain

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

Keep up with tech in just 5 minutes a week!

how to add page numbers in essays

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / MLA page numbers

MLA page numbers

When you write a research essay in MLA format, page numbers will be included in the running head of your paper, the in-text citations, and on your Works Cited page. All three of those types of page numbers can also be seen in this MLA sample paper . Here is everything you need to know about using page numbers in MLA format, including guidelines and examples.

Page numbers in running head

When you write an essay in MLA, numbers marking the pages should appear in a running head at the top of your paper.

Formatting a running head

A running head should appear ½ inch from the top and 1 inch from the right side of each page of your essay. A running head in MLA should follow the last name page number format, listing your last name followed by the number of the page.

how to add page numbers in essays

Your Last Name page #

  • In MLA, number the pages using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Do not use a comma or “p.” in the running head.
  • If you are including a title/cover page for your paper (refer to your instructor’s guidelines), do not put the running head on your cover page. The running head will begin on the first page of your essay.
  • You must include the running head on the Works Cited page.
  • You must include the running head on the Works Consulted page (if applicable – always ask your instructor before including a Works Consulted page).

Page numbers in in-text citations

Besides the running head of your paper, you will also need to include page numbers in the in-text citations of your paper.

Formatting page numbers

Use page numbers in your in-text citations whenever possible to make finding the sources of your information easier for the reader. In-text citations follow the last name page number format, enclosed in parentheses.

(Author Last Name page #)

(Hemingway 14)

(Briggs 129)

Key Points:

  • Omit the first repeating digit in page numbers (eg: 263-67, not 263-267 or 263-7).
  • Do not use “p.” or “pp.” in the in-text citations.
  • All sources included in an in-text citation must have a full citation on the Works Cited page at the end of the research paper.
  • If you are citing a source without page numbers, MLA suggests referring to paragraph numbers if applicable, but never assign page numbers or make up your own page number system.

Page numbers in the Works Cited page

Every source you cite within the body of your paper must have a full citation on a Works Cited page at the end of your paper.

In your Works Cited page, include an MLA citation page number whenever possible for each source. This is especially important for situations like citing a journal article in MLA , or other sources that are part of a larger work, so that your audience can easily locate the particular source you are citing. Page numbers on a Works Cited page should look like this:

  • As with in-text citations, omit the first digit in repeating page numbers (eg: 263-67, not 263-267 or 263-7).
  • Use the abbreviation p. to cite a single page and pp. to cite multiple pages.

Published October 16, 2020. Updated July 11, 2021.

Written by Grace Turney , freelance writer and artist. Grace is a former librarian and has a Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Technology. 

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Bibliography
  • Block Quotes
  • et al Usage
  • In-text Citations
  • Paraphrasing
  • Page Numbers
  • Sample Paper
  • Works Cited
  • MLA 8 Updates
  • MLA 9 Updates
  • View MLA Guide

Citation Examples

  • Book Chapter
  • Journal Article
  • Magazine Article
  • Newspaper Article
  • Website (no author)
  • View all MLA Examples

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

MLA Citation Examples

Writing Tools

Citation Generators

Other Citation Styles

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

In-Text Citations: The Basics

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.

Note:  On pages 117-118, the Publication Manual suggests that authors of research papers should use the past tense or present perfect tense for signal phrases that occur in the literature review and procedure descriptions (for example, Jones (1998)  found  or Jones (1998)  has found ...). Contexts other than traditionally-structured research writing may permit the simple present tense (for example, Jones (1998)  finds ).

APA Citation Basics

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but  NOT  directly quoting the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference.

On the other hand, if you are directly quoting or borrowing from another work, you should include the page number at the end of the parenthetical citation. Use the abbreviation “p.” (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages) before listing the page number(s). Use an en dash for page ranges. For example, you might write (Jones, 1998, p. 199) or (Jones, 1998, pp. 199–201). This information is reiterated below.

Regardless of how they are referenced, all sources that are cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

  • Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
  • If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters long or greater within the title of a source:  Permanence and Change . Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs:  Writing New Media ,  There Is Nothing Left to Lose .

( Note:  in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized:  Writing new media .)

  • When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word:  Natural-Born Cyborgs .
  • Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's  Vertigo ."
  • If the title of the work is italicized in your reference list, italicize it and use title case capitalization in the text:  The Closing of the American Mind ;  The Wizard of Oz ;  Friends .
  • If the title of the work is not italicized in your reference list, use double quotation marks and title case capitalization (even though the reference list uses sentence case): "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."

Short quotations

If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and page number for the reference (preceded by "p." for a single page and “pp.” for a span of multiple pages, with the page numbers separated by an en dash).

You can introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.

If you do not include the author’s name in the text of the sentence, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.

Long quotations

Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout, but do not add an extra blank line before or after it. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

Because block quotation formatting is difficult for us to replicate in the OWL's content management system, we have simply provided a screenshot of a generic example below.

This image shows how to format a long quotation in an APA seventh edition paper.

Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.

Quotations from sources without pages

Direct quotations from sources that do not contain pages should not reference a page number. Instead, you may reference another logical identifying element: a paragraph, a chapter number, a section number, a table number, or something else. Older works (like religious texts) can also incorporate special location identifiers like verse numbers. In short: pick a substitute for page numbers that makes sense for your source.

Summary or paraphrase

If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference and may omit the page numbers. APA guidelines, however, do encourage including a page range for a summary or paraphrase when it will help the reader find the information in a longer work. 

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word (Step-by-Step)

By Erin Wright

This tutorial shows how to add page numbers in Microsoft Word. Then, we will format page numbers, remove page numbers from the first page, and start the second page with page number 1.

Table of Contents:

  • How to add page numbers
  • How to format page numbers
  • How to remove the page number from the first page
  • How to start the second page with page number 1

Do you want to start your page numbers on a specific page? Please see “ How to Start Page Numbers on a Specific Page in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac) .”

This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 300 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel .

The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps will also work in Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010. However, your interface may look slightly different in those older versions of the software.

Are you on a Mac? Please see “ How to Add Page Numbers in Word for Mac .”

How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

Important Note: Page numbers added to the top of the page or the bottom of the page will be inserted into the header or footer . The page numbers will replace any existing text placed in the same location within the header or footer. Therefore, you should add page numbers before adding other elements to the header or footer.

  • Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.

Insert tab in Word 365

  • Select the Page Number button in the Header & Footer group.

Page Number button in the Insert tab of Word 365

  • Select a location to insert the page numbers from the drop-down menu:
  • Top of Page (in the header)
  • Bottom of Page (in the footer)
  • Page Margins
  • Current Position

The Current Position option is the current location of your cursor in the header, footer, or body of the text. If the current position is in the body of the text, the page number will only appear on the current page. It won’t appear in the same location on other pages.

Page number menu in Word 365

  • Select additional location and style options from the submenu. (The options will depend on the selection made in step 3.)

Page number submenu in Word 365

Your page numbers should appear immediately.

How to Format Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

This section shows how to change the number format, include chapter numbers, and start on a specific page.

  • Select the Insert tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
  • Select the Page Number button in the Header & Footer group (see figure 2).
  • Select Format Page Numbers from the drop-down menu.

Format Page Numbers option in Word 365

  • Select the options you want from the Page Number Format dialog box.
  • Number format (e.g., numerals, letters, Roman numerals)
  • Include chapter number (This option only works if you already established heading numbers .)
  • Continue from previous section (When this option is selected, your sections will be number continuously. If you do not want the page numbers to continue from the previous section , select Start at .)
  • Start at (This option will default to page 1. However, if you enter another number, such as 5, the page number 5 will appear on the first page of the document or first page of the section.)

Page Number Format dialog box in Word 365

  • Select the OK button.

OK button in the Page Number Format dialog box on Word 365

Your page number formatting should be applied immediately.

How to Remove the Page Number from the First Page in Microsoft Word

You may want to remove the page number from the first page because it is a title page or a cover page .

  • Select the Header or Footer button in the Header & Footer group. (Choose the location where your page numbers are located.)

Header and Footer buttons in Word 365

  • Select Edit Header or Edit Footer from the drop-down menu.

Edit Footer option in Word 365

  • Select Different First Page in the Options group in the Header & Footer tab.

Pro Tip: The Header & Footer tab only appears while you are working in headers or footers.

Different First Page option in Word 365

The page number on the first page should disappear. If the page number does not disappear, select it and press the Delete key to remove it manually.

How to Start the Second Page with Page Number 1 in Microsoft Word

After removing the page number from the first page, as shown in the previous section, you can force the second page to start with page number 1.

Page Number button in the Header and Footer tab in Word 365

  • Select Format Page Numbers from the drop-down menu (see figure 5).
  • Enter the number 0 into the Start at menu in the Page Number Format dialog box.

"Start as" page number menu in Word 365

  • Select the OK button (see figure 7).

The page number on the second page should be changed to number 1.

  • Select the Close Header and Footer button.

Close Header and Footer button in Word 365

Related Resources

How to Combine Text and Page Numbers in Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word

How to Insert Page Numbers on Opposite Sides in Microsoft Word

How to Save Custom Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

How to Adjust Line Spacing in Microsoft Word

How to Insert Page Breaks in Microsoft Word

Updated March 01, 2024

  • Microsoft Word Tutorials
  • Adobe Acrobat Tutorials
  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Writing Tips
  • Editing Tips
  • Writing-Related Resources
  • Link to facebook
  • Link to linkedin
  • Link to twitter
  • Link to youtube
  • Writing Tips

How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

  • 3-minute read
  • 14th June 2016

Adding page numbers to a Microsoft Word document is a fundamental element of formatting . This is particularly important in a longer piece of work, like a dissertation , since it prevents the pages from getting mixed up and helps your reader navigate the document.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that Microsoft Word offers customized formatting options for page numbers, allowing you to apply different styles to different parts of a document.

In today’s blog post, we run through how you can use page numbers to make your work look tidy and professional.

Adding Page Numbers to a Document

The basic process of adding page numbers to a document is simple. All you need to do is:

  • Go to the “Insert” tab and click “Page Number” in the “Header & Footer” section
  • In the dropdown menu, select where you want your page numbers to appear (header, footer or margins)

Page numbers

This will add page numbers throughout your document, making it easier to navigate between sections.

Formatting Page Numbers

The default page number style in Microsoft Word can be adjusted using the “Format Page Numbers” option in the dropdown menu. The pop-up menu that appears when you click on this gives you two main options:

  • Number Format

This allows you to control the style of numbering you apply in your document. The default is Arabic numerals, but you can use lettering or Roman numerals instead if you prefer.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

formatpagenumbers

  • Page Numbering

These options allow you to control the number at which your page numbering starts. Usually this will default to “1,” starting at the first page of your document.

Sections Breaks and Page Numbering

Microsoft Word can also apply different styles of page numbering in different parts of your document. This can be handy if, for instance, you want the page numbers to begin only after the cover page, or if you wanted to use Roman numerals for pages preceding the introduction.

To do this, however, you’ll need to add section breaks to your document:

  • Select where you want a section break to appear
  • Go to “Page Layout” and click “Breaks”

sectionbreak

To apply different page number styles before and after the break:

  • Go to “Insert” and find the “Header & Footer” section
  • Select “Edit” under either “Header” or “Footer”
  • Select the header/footer where you want to apply a particular numbering style

linktoprevious

Once this is done, changing the formatting style of the page numbers in one part of the document will leave preceding sections unchanged.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

5-minute read

Free Email Newsletter Template

Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...

6-minute read

How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal

If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

4-minute read

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

Logo Harvard University

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

How to Do Page Numbers in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding page numbers to a Word document is a simple task that can make your document look professional and organized. All you need to do is open the ‘Insert’ tab, click on ‘Page Number’, and choose where you want the numbers to appear. You can also customize the style and format of the numbers to match your document’s theme.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Do Page Numbers in Word

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re trying to achieve. Adding page numbers to your document helps readers navigate through your work, and it’s a requirement for most formal papers and reports. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Open the Insert Tab

Open the ‘Insert’ tab in the ribbon at the top of your Word document.

The ‘Insert’ tab is where you’ll find a variety of tools to add different elements to your document, including page numbers.

Step 2: Click on Page Number

Click on the ‘Page Number’ option within the ‘Header & Footer’ group.

Once you click on ‘Page Number’, a dropdown menu will appear with different options for where you want your page numbers to be placed.

Step 3: Choose the Placement

Choose where you want the page numbers to appear on your document.

You can choose to have your page numbers at the top of the page (header), at the bottom of the page (footer), or in the margins. You can also choose to have them on the left or right side of the page.

Step 4: Select the Style and Format

Select the style and format of the page numbers.

Word offers a variety of styles and formats for page numbers. You can choose a simple number, Roman numerals, or even add the word ‘Page’ before the number.

Step 5: Customize the Page Numbering

Customize the page numbering, if necessary.

If you want to start the numbering at a specific page, or if you want to use a different numbering system for different sections, you can customize the page numbering by clicking on ‘Format Page Numbers’ in the ‘Page Number’ dropdown menu.

After you complete these steps, your document will have page numbers in the location and style you selected. You can always go back and change the placement or style if needed.

Tips for Page Numbers in Word

  • If you’re working on a longer document with multiple sections, consider using section breaks to manage page numbers for each section.
  • You can add page numbers to an existing header or footer by double-clicking on the header or footer area and then inserting the page number.
  • If you want your page numbers to start on a page other than the first page, you can use the ‘Different First Page’ option in the ‘Header & Footer’ group.
  • To remove page numbers, simply go back to the ‘Page Number’ dropdown menu and select ‘Remove Page Numbers’.
  • If you’re submitting a document for publication or academic purposes, make sure to check the specific guidelines for page numbering.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i add page numbers to only certain pages in word.

To add page numbers to only certain pages, you can use section breaks to separate the parts of your document and then add page numbers to each section individually.

Can I start page numbering on a page other than the first page?

Yes, you can start page numbering on any page by using the ‘Start at’ option in the ‘Format Page Numbers’ menu.

How do I remove page numbers from my Word document?

To remove page numbers, go to the ‘Page Number’ dropdown menu and select ‘Remove Page Numbers’.

Can I have different styles of page numbers in the same document?

Yes, you can have different styles of page numbers by using section breaks and customizing the page numbering for each section.

How do I format page numbers as Roman numerals in Word?

To format page numbers as Roman numerals, select ‘Format Page Numbers’ from the ‘Page Number’ dropdown menu and choose ‘Roman’ under the ‘Number format’ option.

  • Open the ‘Insert’ tab.
  • Click on ‘Page Number’.
  • Choose the placement.
  • Select the style and format.
  • Customize the page numbering.

Adding page numbers in Word is a breeze once you know where to look and what to do. Whether you’re a student working on a term paper, a professional preparing a report, or just someone trying to organize a long document, mastering the art of page numbering will undoubtedly come in handy. Remember, the key is to familiarize yourself with the ‘Insert’ tab and the ‘Header & Footer’ group, where all the magic happens. From there, it’s just a matter of a few clicks to get those numbers rolling. And don’t forget, if you ever get stuck or want to get a bit fancy with your page numbering, Word offers a plethora of customization options to suit your needs. So go ahead, give it a try and watch your documents transform from plain to professional with the simple addition of page numbers. Happy numbering!

Matt Jacobs Support Your Tech

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

  • How to Remove Page Number from First Page of Google Docs and Google Sheets
  • How to Number Pages in Word 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Start Page Numbering Later in Word: 2024 Guide
  • How to Start Page Numbers on Page 3 in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Put the Worksheet Name in Excel’s Footer: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Remove a Footer in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Insert Picture in Excel Header
  • How to Remove the Page Number from the First Page in MS Word
  • How to Insert a Page Number in Excel 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Use Large Page Numbers in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Get Rid of Header in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Get Out of Header and Footer View in Excel 2010: A Guide
  • How to Add a Footer in Powerpoint 2016: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Add Roman Numeral Page Numbers to Word
  • How to Delete a Footer in Word (2024): A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Add Page Numbers in Google Docs
  • How to Add the Filename to the Header in Excel 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Make the Header Smaller in Word 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Delete a Header in Excel 2013: Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Remove Page Numbers in Excel 2010: A Step-by-Step Guide

Get Our Free Newsletter

How-to guides and tech deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

IMAGES

  1. Basic Essay Format Page numbers, MLA Title Page, Spacing, Margins

    how to add page numbers in essays

  2. Thesis Numbering Format

    how to add page numbers in essays

  3. Proper essay page numbering

    how to add page numbers in essays

  4. How to Add Page Numbers in Word? 3 Easy Examples

    how to add page numbers in essays

  5. How to start numbering your pages on (for example) page 3

    how to add page numbers in essays

  6. How to Add Page Numbers in Word

    how to add page numbers in essays

VIDEO

  1. how to add page numbers in word with margin

  2. How to Insert Page Numbers From A Specific Page On Microsoft Word

  3. How to add page number with number of page

  4. How To Add Page Numbers In Word

  5. How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

  6. 157 Add Page Number Final PDF24 Tools

COMMENTS

  1. How to Insert Page Numbers: APA 7th Edition Guidelines

    Inserting Numeral Page Numbers. Step 1: Open the "Header & Footer" tab in the header, click on Insert and select "Page Number.". Step 2: If you want to have a different first page and do not want number 1 to appear on this page, then click on "Different First Page.". Step 3: From the drop-down list, choose "Top of Page.".

  2. PDF Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition

    Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.

  3. Page Header

    Align the running head to the left margin of the page header, across from the right-aligned page number. View the sample papers to see how the running head and page number appear in APA Style papers. The page header appears within the top margin of every page of the paper. For student papers, the page header consists of the page number only.

  4. How to format APA page numbers

    Placed in the header. Flush against the right margin. In the same font and size as the rest of your paper. You also do not need to write the word "page" or use its abbreviated form of "p." or "pp.". All it needs is the number. It's recommended that you use autogenerated page numbers in the "header" section of your paper.

  5. A step-by-step guide for creating and formatting APA Style student papers

    For paper sections with different alignment and indentation, see the paragraph alignment and indentation page. Page numbers. Put a page number in the top right of every page header, including the title page, starting with page number 1. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word-processing program to insert the page number in the ...

  6. Title Page Setup

    Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the page header. 1. Professional title page. The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following ...

  7. Title Page and Page Numbers

    All elements should be centered both vertically on the paper, and the title should be placed three to four lines from the top of the page. The title page should include: Paper title. Author names. Author affiliation. Course number and name. Instructor name. Assignment due date.

  8. When and How to Include Page Numbers in APA Style Citations

    When you include a paraphrase in a paper, you are required to include only the author and date in the citation. You are encouraged (but not required) to also provide the page number (or other location information) for a paraphrased citation when it would help the reader locate the relevant passage in a long or complex text (such as when you use ...

  9. Subject and Course Guides: APA Guide: 7th Edition : Page Numbers

    Page Numbers To insert page numbers in Microsoft Word: 1. Click the "Insert" tab in the top menu. 3. Select Page Number, then choose Plain Number 3 from the options. 4. On the second page, Select Page Number, choose Plain Number 3 from the . options. The page number will show up with a consecutive number in every page in the header.

  10. How to Add Page Numbers in APA Style

    On the ribbon, click on the Insert tab and select Page Number. 2. Or, double click in the header of your document. This action opens the Header & Footer Tools Tab. From here, select Page Number. You can also select Different First Page, if you haven't already, which you'll need to format the running head.

  11. How to Insert Page Numbers in Word: Quick Formatting Guide

    On desktop or mobile, go to the Insert tab, then select "Page Number" to add page numbers. Double-click the page number to make changes to the font, color, or style. Double-click the header or footer, then go to Page Number > Format Page Numbers for additional options. Inserting (PC & Mac) Download Article.

  12. MLA page numbers

    When you write a research essay in MLA format, page numbers will be included in the running head of your paper, the in-text citations, and on your Works Cited page. All three of those types of page numbers can also be seen in this MLA sample paper. Here is everything you need to know about using page numbers in MLA format, including guidelines ...

  13. In-Text Citations: The Basics

    APA Citation Basics. When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

  14. PDF How to Format Page Numbers in a Dissertation & Thesis

    Page number formats are in three separate parts. 1. Title page - The first page is the title page; it is only one page. There is no page number displayed. It counts as page "i". a. Click on the page. Select Insert > Footer > Banded [inserts page number in center of the Footer]. b. Select the page number in the Footer. c.

  15. A Guide to Page Numbers in APA Referencing

    Always write page numbers using the same style as in the original source (this will usually be Arabic numerals, but some sources use Roman numerals for front matter such as prefaces and introductions). Use "p." before a single page number and "pp." before page ranges. Use an en dash to indicate a page range (e.g., "pp. 18-24").

  16. APA Style Guidelines for Numbers

    Revised on July 23, 2023. Numbers can be written either as words (e.g., one hundred) or numerals (e.g., 100). In this article we follow the guidelines of APA Style, one of the most common style guides used in academic writing. In general, words should be used for numbers from zero through nine, and numerals should be used from 10 onwards.

  17. How to Number Pages in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Step 2: Click on 'Page Number'. Find the 'Page Number' button in the 'Header & Footer' section and click on it. When you click on 'Page Number,' a drop-down menu will appear with various options for where you can place your page numbers - at the top of the page, at the bottom, in the margins, and so on.

  18. How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word (Step-by-Step)

    Select the Insert tab in the ribbon (see figure 1). Select the Page Number button in the Header & Footer group (see figure 2). Select Format Page Numbers from the drop-down menu. Figure 5. Format Page Numbers option. Select the options you want from the Page Number Format dialog box.

  19. How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word

    All you need to do is: Go to the "Insert" tab and click "Page Number" in the "Header & Footer" section. In the dropdown menu, select where you want your page numbers to appear (header, footer or margins) Finally, select the alignment for your page numbers (left, right or center) This will add page numbers throughout your document ...

  20. How to Do Page Numbers in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Step 3: Choose the Placement. Choose where you want the page numbers to appear on your document. You can choose to have your page numbers at the top of the page (header), at the bottom of the page (footer), or in the margins. You can also choose to have them on the left or right side of the page.