Inserting the Total Number of Words in Your Document

Word keeps track of summary information for a document. You can see the information maintained by Word simply by displaying the Properties dialog box for your document. One of the pieces of information maintained is the number of words in the document. This information is updated whenever the document is saved or printed. Word allows you to insert this bit of summary information in your document by following these steps if you are using Word 2007:

1. Position the insertion point where you want the number of words to appear.
2. Make sure the Insert tab of the ribbon is displayed.
3. Click the Quick Parts tool in the Text group. Word displays a number of choices from which you should choose Field. Word displays the Field dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Using the Categories drop-down list, choose Document Information.
5. Select NumWords from the Field Names list.
6. Click on OK.

If you are using an older version of Word, follow these steps instead:

1. Position the insertion point where you want the number of words to appear.
2. Choose Field from the Insert menu. Word displays the Field dialog box.
3. Choose Document Information as the field category. Word updates the choices in the Field Names list (at the right side of the dialog box).
4. Select NumWords from the Field Names list.
5. Click on OK to close the dialog box and insert the field.

If you prefer to not use the Field dialog box (for whatever reason), you can insert the number of words into your document by following these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+F9. This inserts a pair of field braces within your document.
2. Type "NumWords" (without the quote marks).
3. Press F9 to collapse the field and display the field's results (the number of words in the document).