Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 26, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
In Word you can format page numbers just as you would format any other text in your document. (This assumes, of course, that you have already inserted the page numbers.) For instance, you can make the page numbers bold, italic, change their size, etc.
If you are working in Print Layout view, you can double-click on the header or footer, select the page number, and manually format it. If you are working in Normal or Outline view, you will have to make the header or footer visible in order to format the page numbers. This is done in the following manner.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (956) 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 Page Numbers.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
While Word has a default format for page numbers, you can design and specify how you want them to appear in your ...
Discover MoreIf you have a document where the page numbers are always zero, you may be rightly wondering what is happening. This tip ...
Discover MoreIf your document is more than a couple of pages long, adding page numbers is a nice finishing touch. If you want, you can ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments