Calling all Word Page Number Experts that like a challenge.



I’ve inherited a Word Document Template that has a structured page numbering requirement that is now causing problems since switching to Word 2016/365.

The template has a PAGE number field in the document header that sits within a Frame with text wrapping set to around. The document is formatted to use mirrored margins, the remaining properties appear insignificant to the problem at hand.

With a single page document the page number starts on the right-hand side. When the document spills into a second page they page number jumps automatically to the left-hand side of the page, and the location and placement of the page number is perfect. In fact the whole page number jumping automatically to the left-hand and right-hand side is perfect for our presentation requirements.

However, I have a very frustrating problem I cannot seem to solve regarding the placement of the Page Number frame.

Each word document we create is a continuation of previous documents, that were printed out and logged in binders. Each time we start a new document we want to continue the page number sequence from the previous document. And that’s the problem.

We can tell the page number field to start at any value we like, but we cannot control which side of the page the page number should be located.

For example, the first physical page in our new word document should start at Page 502. But as Physical Page 1 (of a new document) we want this to be printed in the top right hand side of the page header. But because the page number value is EVEN it insists on moving it the left-hand side of the page, and so on and so forth.

What we want Word to do is place the page number in the right-hand corner or left-hand corner based on the Physical Page count of the document, and not the value shown in the Page Number box itself. How do I get control of this placement to override its behaviour?

Many thanks

Steve