Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Inserting a Page Number Field.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 23, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word provides a few shortcuts that allow you to insert common fields into your documents. If you have a need to insert the PAGE field often, then you will be interested in this shortcut. (The PAGE field automatically reflects the page number on which it is placed. For instance, if the PAGE field is inserted on page 4 of your document, it is replaced with a 4. If editing subsequently changes that page on which the PAGE field is located, the field is replaced with the then-current page number when your fields are updated.)
To insert a PAGE field where your insertion point is located, simply press Shift+Alt+P. The PAGE field is inserted, updated, and automatically formatted with the Page Number character format.
You should note that it is possible for the Shift+Alt+P shortcut to be "hijacked" by some other part of your system. For instance, in some versions of Windows pressing this shortcut key brings up the Windows Media Player; Word never gets a chance to act upon the shortcut. In that case, there is nothing you can do (short of removing, deactivating, or reprogramming whatever program is hijacking the shortcut key) except to insert the PAGE field the old fashioned way—by using the menus or toolbars to insert the field.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (548) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Inserting a Page Number Field.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
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