In Microsoft Word, how can I begin page numbering after the first page?

In Microsoft Word, page numbers can begin either at the beginning of the document or at the beginning of a section. If you want page numbering to begin at a point past the first page (and have different or no page numbering before that point), you'll likely need to follow a few steps to allow Word to start numbering from that point.

However, if you want to begin page numbering on the second page, a simple trick allows you to do this. This method is most helpful for documents or reports with a single title page and numbering beginning on the next page. Both methods are listed below.

Note: These instructions assume you have no existing page numbering on the document. Although existing page numbers may not be a problem, it is best to back up your document and then remove all existing page numbers before following the steps below. (Always back up your documents before making major changes to the formatting.)

Note: The interface for Office 2007 programs is significantly different from that of older versions, with different terms and concepts; see For Office 2007, what are some new interface features?

Page numbers beginning on the second page

To begin page numbering on the second page:

Word 2007 for Windows

1. On the Insert tab, in the "Header & Footer" group, click Page Number.
   
   
2. Click Top of Page, Bottom of Page, or Page Margins, depending on where you want page numbers to appear in your document.
   
   
3. Choose a page numbering design from the gallery of designs.
   
   
4. On the Design tab, choose Different First Page from the "Options" group.

All other versions

1. Put your cursor on the first page, and from the Insert menu, select Page Numbers... .
   
   
2. Select the position and alignment you want for the page numbers.
   
   
3. Remove the check from Show number on first page, and click Format... .
   
   
4. Select your desired format. Then, at the bottom of the window, select the Start at: option and select the number just below what you want your first page number to be. For example, if you want the page after the title page to be page 1, select 0 as the starting page number.
   
   
5. Click OK twice to return to Word.

Page numbers beginning after the first page

To begin page numbering anywhere after the first page:

1. Determine where you want your page numbering to begin (e.g., page 4), and place your cursor at the end of the preceding page (e.g., page 3).
   
   
2. In Word 2007, from the Page Layout tab, select Breaks from the "Page Setup" group. Then, from the drop-down menu, select Continuous.

   In other versions of Word for Windows or Word 98 for Mac OS, from the Insert menu, select Break... . Under "Section break types", select Continuous, and click OK.

   In Word 2001 for Mac OS or Word v.X, 2004, or 2008 for Mac OS X, from the Insert menu, select Break and then Section Break (Continuous).

3. In Word 2007, from the View tab, select Print Layout in the "Document Views" group.

   In all other versions, place your cursor on the next page, and from the View menu, select Header and Footer. The Header and Footer toolbar should appear with several icons.
   

4. If you want the page numbers at the top of the page, make sure you are in the header. If you want the page numbering at the bottom, switch into the footer. There is a "Switch Between Header and Footer" button that makes it easy to toggle between header and footer.

   Note: In Windows versions except Word 2007, this is the third icon from the left of the Close button. In Mac OS or Mac OS X, it is the fourth button from the Close button. Holding the mouse pointer over the icon for a couple of seconds will display "Switch Between Header and Footer".

   In Word 2007, this option is located under the Design tab in the "Navigation" group.

5. Once you are in the header or footer, find the "Same as Previous" or "Link to Previous" button on the toolbar (or Ribbon in Word 2007). It will have a slightly different look from the other buttons because it is already enabled. (Again, you can hold the mouse pointer over the icon to see its name.)
   
   
6. Click the "Same as Previous" or "Link to Previous" button to disable it. This separates the section's headers or footers from those above. In all versions except Word 2007, close the Header and Footer toolbar.
   
   
7. In Word 2007, from the Insert tab, select Page Number in the "Header & Footer" group. Then choose your preferred position and alignment for the page numbers.

   In all other versions, from the Insert menu, select Page Numbers... , and choose your preferred position and alignment for the page numbers. Make sure to leave Show number on first page checked.

8. In Word 2007, click and hold Page Number in the "Header & Footer" group.

   In all other versions, click Format... , and in the "Page numbering" section, click Start at: .

9. In all versions of Word except Word v.X, 2004, and 2008 for Mac OS X and Word 2003 for Windows, select the number that comes just before your desired starting number. In other words, if you want the page numbering to begin at 1, select 0, or if you want the first page number to be page 6, select 5.

   In Word v.X, 2004, and 2008 for Mac OS X, and Word 2003 and 2007 for Windows, select the exact number you want to be your starting number. These versions of Word interpret the section break differently from other versions.

10. Click OK until you return to the document.

With this last method, you should have no page numbering before your selected point. You can add page numbers to the first portion later without harming your custom numbering. Also, to restart or customize your page numbering at a later section of the document, follow the same instructions.

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