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nicholas1105's avatar
nicholas1105
Copper Contributor
Mar 04, 2024

Page numbering isn't working

Hi, I am trying to set numbers on the pages but it's not working properly. For example, it starts from the first page as 1, then the second page takes the number 2, then the third page takes the numb...
Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP's avatar
Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP
MVP
Mar 06, 2024

nicholas1105 Your document almost certainly contains multiple Sections (which may or may not be necessary) and it is almost certain that in the Page Number Format dialog, you have the page numbering set to Start at 1 for each section rather than being set to Continue from the previous section.

 

 

NSBlack's avatar
NSBlack
Copper Contributor
Sep 03, 2025

Hi - hope this pings back. I have no sections added, I have continue from previous section (even though there are no sections), and I am using this numpages field code from insert field:

{ NUMPAGES   \* MERGEFORMAT }

It **WORKS** in the footer just fine. When I put it in the document it still says the real number (11), and then when I update fields, it changes to 2. No matter how many pages. It is driving me crazy. Any thoughts here?

Please help. I am losing my MIND.

Thanks! 
Natasha

---

Footer says:
Page 11 of 11

Text says this on "paste":

This Will consists of 11 pages, including this page.

Then says this on update:

This Will consists of 2 pages, including this page.

 

 

  • Charles_Kenyon's avatar
    Charles_Kenyon
    Bronze Contributor
    Sep 07, 2025

    NSBlack​ 

    You may well have multiple sections even though you have not intentionally added any. You can tell if you look at the header or footer on your last page.

    That said, the number of sections and restarting numbering should not change the NUMPAGES field result. I can't think of anything that could alter it that dramatically. (A Cover Page may not be counted in NUMPAGES, but that is only one page.)

    This is really a different problem from the original question which involved the PAGE field. It should be a separate question for clarity and to get the best answers. If you do, please attach a sample document with the question. If you continue here, please attach such a sample.

    P.S. The MergeFormat switch is surplus in the field. See The Difference between MergeFormat and CharFormat switches.

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