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Inserting page numbers in a header in Word

Glen Argan 0 Reputation points
2026-04-25T21:43:51.5733333+00:00

I am trying to insert page numbers in my headers. However, the online instructions say Go to Insert then to Page Numbering. However there is no "Page Numbering" command under Insert. When I double click in the header and then type in a page number, it replaces the header with the page number.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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  1. Stefan Blom 342.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-04-25T23:25:46.6733333+00:00

    Which version of Word are you running? If you have the full version of Word running on Windows, you can activate the header/footer view (for example by double-clicking the header) and then insert a page number field at the insertion point by pressing Alt+Shift+P.

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  2. Charles Kenyon 167.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-04-26T03:02:53.2566667+00:00

    Stefan has given you a succinct answer.

    Use the desktop application.

    Which version of Word are you using? Which operating system?

    Resources:

    Page Numbers in Word are fields. You can insert one with Shift+Alt+P (Windows).

    If you choose page numbers from the menus for anything other than current position, you likely will replace an existing header or footer. Just open the header or footer and add the page number.

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  3. Glen Argan 0 Reputation points
    2026-04-26T00:38:59.49+00:00

    Didn't work.

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  4. AI answer

    2026-04-25T21:44:04.5033333+00:00

    In current Word for Windows, the command is named Page Number, not Page Numbering, and it is on the Insert tab.

    To insert page numbers in a header without losing the header text:

    1. On the ribbon, select Insert.
    2. Click Page Number and choose the location and style (for example, Top of Page → a layout you like). This inserts a page number field in the header.
    3. If the header text disappeared, press Ctrl+Z once to undo, then:
      • Double-click in the header area to open it.
      • Place the cursor where the page number should go (for example, after your existing header text).
      • Select Insert → Page Number again and pick the style. Word will insert the page number at the cursor instead of replacing the whole header.
    4. When finished, select Close Header and Footer or press Esc.

    If the first page should not show a page number, in the header/footer tools select Different First Page.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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