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

Your page numbers are on alternating sides for even-numbered and odd-numbered pages. They correspond to even- and odd-numbered headers.

The following links are to different parts of my page on Sections. They should help.

• Different Even and Odd Header/Footer
• Page Numbers in Word 2007-2016
• Header/Footer Settings Recap

I suspect you want to start each new section with an Odd-Page section break.

Your first page of your physical document should say 502 but you want it to be treated as an odd-numbered page.

You need to use calculated page numbers (which will not be reflected in any TOC).

Instead of a Page field { PAGE } you will need to start your page numbering at 1 for example and have your page numbers show up using a calculation field:
{ = { PAGE } + 501 }. That field would go into the frames.

Thus Word will put treat your page 502 as page 1 and odd-numbered. I do not recommend doing this.

A better solution would be to have a page 501 that starts your numbering at 501 and may say "This page intentionally blank."
It is a violation of publishing norms to have an even-numbered page on the right side.

Doing it this way (with the initial blank page) means that Tables of Contents, Indices, and anything else in Word that refers to page numbers will give the correct response. You could perhaps use it as a cover!

• How to control the page numbering in a Word document
• Page Numbering

Many thanks for your suggestions to what is quite a unique problem.

I totally understand the comments about international standards, unfortunately numbering blank pages is something that isn't done, which is why this even page number on physically page 1 of a document exists.

The good news is these are minutes so there is no Table of Contents, so manipulating the page counter for physical and printing purposes seems the best course of action. I've done some experimentation with, and I will continue to play with this as it looks the least complicated to factor into a template.

Many thanks for all your time and suggestions, much appreciated.

Steve

The blank page could have no displayed or printed number if you want but simply be counted in the numbering.
If you use a gutter to allow space for binding, that, too will make a larger margin on the left for odd-numbered pages and on the right for even-numbered pages (the "real" number, not the displayed, calculated, number).

Also, a table of contents could be very useful to your users and would be very easy to create if you are using styles for your headings. If it takes up a single page, it could fill that otherwise blank page.

Generating a Table of Contents - Complex Documents
Understanding Styles in Microsoft Word
Why use Microsoft Word’s built-in heading styles? by Shauna Kelly
How to create a table of contents in Microsoft Word by Shauna Kelly

If you are starting on an even page number, are you expecting this to be printed on a single side and then all the other pages print double-sided?

I would really question why you don't merge the documents before printing - or print all to PDF and then join them there to output to a printer.

Otherwise you are going to need to fiddle with the last sheet of one file having to go back into the printer to become the back of the first side of the next print

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia