How do I omit the cover page and back page from page numbering in Publisher?

Try this:

I am assuming you are in booklet, two page spread.

Working in Page Navigation, the left pane:

Select the first two page spread (pages 2 and 3) > right click > Insert Section, before left page. Select the last page > right click > insert section. You have now created a section that is exclusive of your cover and rear page. Note that if you are not using the two-page spread then you will just right click the first page > insert section.

Select the first two page spread > right click > Page numbers > choose your preferred number alignment...top center, right center, etc. Right click again > page numbers > check Show number on first page. Right click a third time > page numbers > format page numbers > Start this section with 1.

A tip...I have had the occasion where I did not want one of those interior pages to show the page number, but wanted to include it in the page count. Being the lazy person that I am I did not want to create a new section before and after that page, so...create a small, empty text box and drag it over and on top of the number you do not want to show. You might have to use the alignment controls to Bring forward. This is a quick workaround if you don't want to create a second section before the last page...just cover the number with an empty text box.

And here is a reference page for creating sections:

Reference: Insert or remove a section break between pages in a publication: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-or-remove-a-section-break-between-pages-in-a-publication-8aeb61fd-5568-4082-a533-b2d41f21da28

DavidF

Hi OkieInCO!

I am Shakiru, an independent advisor and a user like you, and I am glad to be helping you out today.

To exclude the cover page and back page from page numbering in Microsoft Publisher, you can follow these steps: * Open your publication in Publisher. * Go to the second page of your publication, which will be the first page that you want to be numbered. * Click on the "Page Design" tab in the ribbon at the top of the window. * Click on "Page Numbers" in the "Header & Footer" section. In the "Page Numbers" dialog box, select "Start at:" and enter "1" (or the number you want to start with) in the field. * Check the box next to "Show number on first page". * Click on the "Format" button and select "Start this section with:" and enter "1" (or the number you want to start with) in the field. * Click "OK" to close the "Format Page Number" dialog box. * Click "OK" to close the "Page Numbers" dialog box.

Summarily: Note: The contextual Header & Footer Tools > Design tab is displayed only when the insertion point is in the header or footer. Double-click in the header area to access the header, and you will be able to check the Different First Page box.

See for more details: http://wordfaqs.mvps.org/FrontMatterRibbon.htm

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Kindly let me know, if you require additional assistance, I will be glad to help further.

Best Regards, Shakiru

I've seen similar instructions as yours, but various locations for the tabs and sections you refer to don't exist on my version of Publisher. I'm using the latest update of Microsoft Office 365 Publisher (Version 2303 Build 16.0.16227.20202).

For instance, the "Header & Footer" section is not in the "Page Design" tab, as you can see in this screenshot:

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/8e958086-e3b7-4225-9696-10c9f805cabc?platform=QnA"https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/c523005a-f2d1-45f8-bb75-a655cc971075?platform=QnA" rel="ugc nofollow">

And, when I follow your instructions and choose "start at: 1", check the box "Show number on first page", then "Start the section with 1", the cover page is labeled 1. If I UNcheck "Show number on first page" and choose "Start the section with 2", the cover page has no number (which is good) but the next page starts with 3. If I UNcheck "Show number on first page" and choose "Start the section with 1", the cover page has no number, but the next page starts with 2.

So, there's no way for me to make it number any page after the cover page as 1, no matter how I change the settings under "Format Page Numbers...".

Also, no one mentions the alignment options, which must be chosen before the numbers show up at all.

I'm still not able to accomplish what I stated in my question.

Shakiru, you fixed my problem. Thank you!!!