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Page numbers in Microsoft Word for Mac - Headers and Footers not showing up

Anonymous
2023-02-13T21:03:06+00:00

In the new Microsoft word for Mac, the tab to insert page numbers is greyed out. When I looked for instructions, it said to insert in the header. That worked, except I can no longer write in the document text. When I close out the header, the page numbers disappear. Any suggestions?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2023-02-14T21:37:31+00:00

    By default the width in Draft View is the same as it is in Print Layout View. It's a function of the Paper Size & the Margin settings. See this screen shot:

    If you want more content to appear in Draft View without regard for how the text actually wraps when printed go to Word> Preferences -View, check the box for Wrap to Window.

    As for Outline View, you need apply bullets only if you choose to. The symbols appear only to indicate the specific outline levels. They don't display in Print Layout View & they don't print.

    Perhaps I misunderstood but if you add Page Number to the Status Bar there's no need to switch views just to determine location in the document.

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2023-02-14T19:29:01+00:00

    The tool to insert page numbers is dimmed because you are in Web Layout View. Unless you are writing web content that view is best avoided because many of the program's features do not apply to web pages. If you want a similar environment consider using Draft View... That's what it's there for :-) As a writer, Outline View may well be worth investigating. See:

    Outlining - Kenyon

    Outline - Rado

    However, Headers & Footers display only in Print Layout View (or Focus View if you switch to it directly from Print Layout View). If you haven't already done so you can have page numbers displayed on the Status Bar. If necessary, right-click the Bar & choose the item to be added.

    Unfortunately, the Live Word Count feature was eliminated from Word for Mac with the introduction of the Office 2016 edition. Don't hesitate to add your voice to the choir by using Help> Feedback to express your need to the development team. You won't get a personal reply but Feedback goes directly to the people who count. If demand is great enough it very well may be restored.

    The issue of White Space is easily handled by placing the pointer on the top or bottom edge of a page in Print Layout View. Double-click when the pointer looks like this

    As for an older version, nothing prior to Office 2016 will run on current versions of macOS. Apple discontinued support of 32 bit software which includes Office 2011 & earlier editions.

    Finally, you can disable Modern Comments by going to Word> Preferences - General to clear the check on that feature.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-14T15:47:47+00:00

    Thanks. I'm able to put page numbers in the header. But then I can't write. The page numbers only show up in print format which is very awkward for writing because it shows only a small part of the screen.

    I'm an author writing a book on Microsoft Word for Mac. On the old version, there was no problem putting in page numbers. Also in the footer, it showed the word count of where your cursor stood so you could see exactly how far into the document you were.

    This sounds like a small issue but in a long document-- like writing a book-- it is absolutely essential to know where you are in and to be able to navigate through the manuscript. I've written four books already on Microsoft Word. Maybe somebody can ask Microsoft about this. Or advise me on an earlier version of Microsoft Office I could use. (I think my old one was from 2012). Otherwise I'll switch to Google Docs.

    Appreciate...

    PS. I'd also like a version without the modern comments but that's not so important.

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  3. Charles Kenyon 166.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-02-14T00:54:28+00:00

    In the new Microsoft word for Mac, the tab to insert page numbers is greyed out. When I looked for instructions, it said to insert in the header. That worked, except I can no longer write in the document text. When I close out the header, the page numbers disappear. Any suggestions?

    If you put the page number in the header, it should print. You may simply not be seeing it in your display.

    Make sure you are in Print Layout view.

    Make sure your preferences are set to show "white space."

    Here is a page that should help.

    Elusive White Space by Suzanne Barnhill, MVP

    That is a Windows page so the controls are different. Toward the bottom of the page, though, it shows how to change this setting with your mouse; this works on the Mac as well.

    Page Numbers in Word 2007-2021 (365)

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-02-13T21:58:34+00:00

    Hi Barbara C!

    If the page numbers are disappearing in Microsoft Word for Mac when you close the header, it may be due to a setting in the document's layout. Here are a few steps to try:

    1. use the Page field code to insert page numbers Double-click the header or the footer area (near the top or bottom of the page). * Go to Header & Footer > Field. * In the Field names list, Select Page, and then select OK.

    * To change the numbering format, go to Header & Footer > Page Number > Format Page Numbers> Select the format you want, and then select OK.

    Then, Go to Header & Footer > Close Header and Footer or double-click outside the header to exit.

    If you are still unable to do that, then move to step 2

    1. Check the header/footer format: Make sure that the header or footer format is set to "Different first page." If it's not set, the page numbers may disappear when you close the header. To set the header/footer format, go to the "View" tab and click "Header and Footer." In the "Header & Footer Tools" section, go to the "Design" tab and check the "Different first-page" option.

    Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/office/46d6dfe5-f99b-40d8-8809-be4808a291f4

    Kind Regards, Shakiru

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