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: Formatting Line Numbers.
Word allows you to add line numbers to your documents, as you have learned in other issues of WordTips. You might be wondering how to change the formatting of the line numbers. Word makes it quite simple by relying on styles for its line numbers. Simply follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Modify Style dialog box.
If you are using Word 97 or Word 2000, you should follow these steps, instead:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (619) 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: Formatting Line Numbers.
Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!
You are not limited to starting the line numbering in a document with 1. You can, instead, start the numbering at any ...
Discover MoreNeed to add line numbers to a document? Word provides an easy way to add them, but some of the controls that configure ...
Discover MoreMany types of documents, such as legal documents, require the use of line numbers to make it easier to identify specific ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-05-03 15:55:22
Teresa
When I open up a new word 2007 document it shows a number one (not page number) on the line. How do I get rid of that permanently every time I want to create a new document?
2017-05-30 14:06:45
salem mohamed
In my word document(2003), no numbers appear, but when converting it to pdf, the numbers appear on the right side. It is like line numbers, but it isn't. It includes all numbers even non-written ones.
2017-02-15 13:08:48
Jeff
Whenever I do this and try to save the document as a pdf, it always moves the line numbering back to the left side of the page. Any suggestions?
2016-02-10 18:42:15
allen@sharonparq.com
Kit: If you read the box at the beginning of the tip (and the text at the end) you'll see a link to a tip for your version of Word.
-Allen
2016-02-10 18:32:31
Kit
Okay, I'll rephrase; your articles does not say it is for Word 2013, but when I googled Word 2013 the first article I found was yours. Maybe something in your tags?!?
2016-02-10 18:30:40
Kit
Word 2013 does not have a format menu. You say in step one to select the format menu. IT DOES NOT HAVE ONE. It has File HOme Insert Design Page Layout References Mailigs Review and View and that's it. Now, how can we find the line number style in Word 2013
2013-09-05 08:29:24
awyatt
Kris,
You need to make your left page margin wider and then adjust the positioning of the line numbers as discussed in this tip:
http://wordribbon.tips.net/T010194
-Allen
2013-09-05 01:29:33
Kris Weythman
P.S. I am using word 2010 and windows xp-pro.
Thank-you
2013-09-05 01:27:28
Kris Weythman
I have a 30+ page document that I have been chronologically entering data. I have been using automatically numbered lines - similar to a legal document. However my numbering just went over 999 and now the "1" in 1000 does not show on the doc. or in "doc preview". How can this be adjusted?
2013-08-11 06:56:35
Kate
Many thanks for your excellent help. I've been able to add my line numbers and format them just how I want ... but how do I get them to display down the right hand margin rather than the left? Any clues much appreciated.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2022 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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: 
Comments