Trouble getting page numbers to continue from previous section

[MacPadana]

I can’t seem to get my page numbering to continue from the previous section. I have checked and unchecked that function multiple times. I have also checked and unchecked the “Different First page” option and that didn’t help. I have done each of these in both the “Header – Footer Design” menu (where you are actually in the header or footer) as well as using the insert tab on the ribbon while I was in each of the sections in the body of the document. I have the “Show/hide” function on so I can see the hidden symbols to identify where the sections change. Section 1 works fine beginning with page 1 on the second page of my document. It numbers the 2nd through the 11th pages as 1 through 10 as I wanted. On both the 11th and 12th pages of my document (which I want to be numbered pages 10 and 11), there is a section break to begin a set of columns and another section break to end it. The 11th page also has a page break to finish the page. When I double click the header/footer on the 11th page it says Header/Footer section 1. When I double click on the header/footer on the 12th page it says Header/Footer section 3. And that’s where the page numbering goes back to 1. I hope this is clear enough for someone to tell me what I’m missing.

Word 2013 windows 8.1

[Charles Kenyon]

Page number formatting is different from headers and footers although both are section properties.

Note that a single page can have multiple sections. There may be a section break in there that is interfering.

Sections / Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word 2007-2013

[MacPadana]

Thanks for the reply. I have tried setting it to continue in every section of the page I can find. I even went into draft mode as that is supposed to be easiest to see section breaks. I have been doing this by using the Insert tab / Page Numbers menu / Format Page numbers and then clicking the "Continue from previous section" radio button. Is that the correct way?

[Charles Kenyon]

That is the correct way.
You might also try displaying non-printing formatting marks. Sometimes, it helps to add dummy text to each section to expand it to multiple pages, doing your editing and then deleting the dummy text.
Showing non-printing formatting marks in Microsoft Word
Sometimes section breaks get collapsed at the right side of text if they are inserted at the end of a paragraph.
I have my status bar set to display the section number as well as the page number. That could also help.

[MacPadana]

Thanks again. The tip about the status bar was very helpful. Knowing exactly what section I was in allowed me to make sure I set each one of them to continue from the previous. Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem. I also added the dummy text as suggested but it didn't help. Any other suggestions you have would be appreciated.

Thanks again