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), then 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, there is a simple trick that 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. Depending on your pagination needs, existing page numbers may not be a problem, but 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.

Page numbers beginning on the second page

To begin page numbering on the second page only, follow these steps:

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, then select 0 as the starting page number.
   
   
5. Click OK twice to return to Word.

Page numbers beginning anyplace after the first page

To begin page numbering anyplace after the first page, follow these steps:

1. Determine if you want your page numbering to appear at the top of the document (header) or at the bottom (footer), and whether you want it aligned to the left, right, or center.
   
   
2. 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).
   
   
3. If you are using Word for Windows or Word 98 for Mac OS, from the Insert menu, select Break... . Under "Section break types", select Continuous, and click OK.
   
   If you are using Word 2001 for Mac OS or Word v.X or 2004 for Mac OS X, from the Insert menu, select Break and then Section Break (Continuous).
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. If you decided the page numbers should appear 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 back and forth between header and footer.
   
   Note: In Windows, this is the third icon from the left of the Close button. In Mac OS, 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".
   
   
6. Once you are in the header (for top page numbering) or in the footer (for bottom page numbering), find the "Same as Previous" or "Link to Previous" button on the toolbar. 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 the icon's name.)
   
   
7. Click the Same as Previous or Link to Previous button to disable it. This separates the section's headers or footers from those above. Then close the Header and Footer toolbar.
   
   
8. 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.
   
   
9. Click Format... , and in the "Page numbering" section, click Start at: .
   
   
10. In all versions of Word except Word v.X and 2004 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 and 2004 for Mac OS X, and Word 2003 for Windows, select the exact number you want to be your starting number. These versions of Word interpret the section break differently than other versions.

11. 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.

Also see:

• In Microsoft Word 97, 98, 2000, and 2001, how do I remove page numbers?
• In Microsoft Word for Windows, how do I insert page numbers?
• In Microsoft Word, how do I put a date on my document?
• In Microsoft Word 97, 98, 2000, or 2001, why aren't my page numbers printing?