Actually, you can set page numbers to be continuous, or to restart, (in the Page Number Format dialog box) without linking or unlinking footers (or headers). These options are separate, as long as you don't want to change the position of the page number field, in which case a separate footer (or header) is required.

Sorry, I overlooked that the thread title mentions page numbers; I thought you were talking about footer content.

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional