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Vera888's avatar
Vera888
Copper Contributor
May 22, 2023

even odd number problem

My doc is a book.
I have even odd pages, both for headers and for page numbers which are in the footer.
The chapters are separated by section breaks (next page).
Each chapter starts with a 'new first page' so that I can remove the headers from that page.
However some chapters start on odd pages and others on even pages.
When a chapter starts on an even page the page number is on the right instead of the left.
If I move it to the left the the page numbers on the first page of all chapters are moved to the left, even when it's an odd page - even page 1.
If I delete the page number all the page numbers on the first page of a chapter get deleted.
I've tried doing an even page break for those chapters. Didn't work.
I've tried starting the numbering at the start of each chapter. Doesn't work.

  • Stefan_Blom's avatar
    Stefan_Blom
    MVP
    May 22, 2023

    Vera888 

     

    Use "Different first page" in order for header/footer content to be different on the starting page of each new section. 

     

    Instead of a Next Page section break, use an Odd Page section break. This ensures that each new section starts on a right-hand page. You can change the type of section after it has been created by using the Page Setup dialog box. Change the "Section start" option.

    • Vera888's avatar
      Vera888
      Copper Contributor
      May 22, 2023
      Thank you, Stefan_Blom.
      I've used different first page.
      I tried Even Section Break, but it does not work. The problem is only on those chapters which start on an even page (the page number is on the right or odd).
      I'll try the Section Start option again.

      All when I'm back at my computer.
    • Vera888's avatar
      Vera888
      Copper Contributor
      May 22, 2023
      Hello Stefan_Blom,
      Whether I replace my 'next page' section break with and 'even page' or an 'odd page' break all my page numbers disappear entirely.
      If I change the layout option from 'new page' to 'continuous' the section breaks disappear altogether.
      • Stefan_Blom's avatar
        Stefan_Blom
        MVP
        May 22, 2023

        Vera888 

         

        Deleting any section break will also delete section properties (page number restarts, header/footer content etc.), so it will be a lot easier to change the type of section. 

         

        To get a clearer picture of what happens, display nonprinting marks, so that you can see all the section breaks more easily. Use the ΒΆ icon on the Home tab of the ribbon. Remember that a section break stores the formatting of the preceding section but displays the type of the following section. 

         

        If this is Word for Windows, you can access the Page Setup properties for a particular section by clicking in that section and then using the dialog launcher icon (which is the little arrow on the bottom right) in the Page Setup group on the Layout tab. 

         

         

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    May 22, 2023

    Vera888 

    To address the issue with page numbers appearing on the right instead of the left when a chapter starts on an even page, you can follow these steps in Microsoft Word:

    1. Place section breaks (Next Page) at the end of each chapter to separate them into different sections.
    2. Double-click on the header or footer area of the page where you want to adjust the page numbering.
    3. In the Header & Footer Tools Design tab, check the "Different First Page" option. This will allow you to remove headers or footers from the first page of each chapter.
    4. Ensure that the "Different Odd & Even Pages" option is also selected. This will enable you to have different headers or footers for odd and even pages.
    5. Click on the page number in the header or footer area to select it.
    6. Right-click on the selected page number and choose "Format Page Numbers" from the context menu.
    7. In the Page Number Format dialog box, select the alignment option that corresponds to the desired placement of the page numbers (e.g., "Left" for odd pages, "Right" for even pages).
    8. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

    *The steps and the text are provide with AI's help.

    By using the combination of "Different First Page" and "Different Odd & Even Pages" options, you can control the placement of page numbers for chapters starting on both odd and even pages. Adjusting the alignment of the page numbers for each section will help you achieve the desired result.

    Note: Please always save a backup file before attempting anything.

    • Vera888's avatar
      Vera888
      Copper Contributor
      May 22, 2023
      Hi NikolinoDE.
      I've tried all these things. It is only the chapters which start on an even page which have their numbers on the wrong side. Even if I disable 'link to previous' and/or start page numbering again, when I move the page number to the even side all the page numbers on Chapters which start on an odd page move to the even side as well.

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