For a lengthy document, the total number of pages is important. It tells the reader how many more pages are left before reaching the end of the document.
Also, this information is useful when printing the document. You know when you have reached the end of the document.
MS Word has the ability to print the current page number and the total number of pages. You may have a Word document that:
- Already has the pages numbered
- Has no page numbering
We will show you in simple, step-by-step instructions how you can do this for both cases.
Let us begin.
Method #1: For Document with Page Numbering
This applies to a document where page numbers already appear, but not the total number of pages.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open the Word document with existing page numbering.
Step #2: Select the page number
Double-click on the page number to select it.
Step #3: Remove page numbers
Once you have double-clicked, the ribbon will change.
You will be in the Design tab under Header and Footer Tools.
In the section Header & Footer, click on the Page Number icon.
A new menu will open.
Click on Remove Page Numbers.
This removes all page numbering from the document.
Step #4: Introduce page number with total number of pages
In the section Header & Footer, click on the Page Number icon again.
A new menu will open, click on Current Position.
Another menu will open.
Scroll down until you reach Page X of Y.
Click on Bold Numbers.
All menus will close.
Word will now show the current page number as well as the total number of pages.
In the top menu bar, click on Close Header and Footer icon to return to your document.
Method #2: For Document without Page Numbering
This method is for when your document has no page numbers yet.
Step #1: Open a Word document
Open the Word document where you want to introduce the total number of pages.
Step #2: Introduce page number with total number of pages
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Header & Footer, click on the Page Number icon.
A new menu will open.
You have four choices for positioning the page numbers:
- Top of Page — Page numbering appears at the top of the pages
- Bottom of Page — Page numbering appears at the bottom of the pages
- Page Margins — Page numbering appears in the margins of the pages
- Current Position — Page numbering appears at the current position of the cursor.
Click on any one of the above choices.
In our example, we selected Top of Page.
Another menu will open.
Scroll down until you reach Page X of Y.
Click on Bold Numbers.
All menus will close.
Word will now show the current page number as well as the total number of pages.
In the top menu bar, click on Close Header and Footer icon to return to your document.
Conclusion
We have shown you two simple methods of introducing the total number of pages in a Word document.
Use the method most suitable for you.