Troubleshoot page numbers and line numbers

• Page numbers aren't visible in normal view or Web layout view. To view page numbers, switch to print layout view.

• Page numbers are dimmed in print layout view. In print layout view, you can view page numbers but you can't edit them. To edit page numbers, you need to display the header or footer that contains the page numbers.

• Page numbers overlap other text or graphics in the header or footer area. If you inserted page numbers by using the Page Numbers command on the Insert menu, the page numbers are enclosed in frames. If the frame containing a page number overlaps other text or graphics in the header or footer area, try repositioning the frame.

When you add page numbers, dates, times, and so on to a header or footer, Microsoft Word inserts fields for these items. Fields ensure that page numbers are automatically updated as you change the document and that dates, times, and other items are updated when you print the document. If you see field codes such as {PAGE} or {DATE} instead of the actual page numbers, dates, times, and so on, press ALT+F9.

• The document is divided into sections. When you change or delete page numbers, Microsoft Word automatically changes or removes the page numbers throughout the document. However, if the document is divided into sections, and you have broken the connection between them (by clicking Link to Previous on the Header and Footer toolbar), Word changes or removes the page numbers only from the current section.

• The document contains different first-page or odd and even headers or footers. In this case, make sure to change or remove the page numbers in each different header or footer.

• Line numbers aren't visible in normal view or Web layout view. To view line numbers, switch to print layout view.

• The margins are too small. Microsoft Word displays line numbers in the left margin or to the left of each newspaper-style column. If the margins are too small, Word can't display or print line numbers. You may need to resize the page margins.

• The distance between the line numbers and the text is too large. If the distance is greater than the margin width, Word can't display or print line numbers. On the File menu, click Page Setup, and then click the Layout tab. Click Line Numbers, and then select the Add line numbering check box. In the From text box, enter the number you want.