How to Insert Page Numbers in Word Starting from Page 2

Adding page numbers to a Microsoft Word document is a simple task that usually takes one click. However, if you are writing a formal report, an essay, or a book, your first page is likely a title page or a cover letter. In professional formatting (like APA or MLA style), the title page should not have a page number printed on it. Getting Word to start counting from the second page can be incredibly frustrating if you don’t know the exact sequence of buttons to click.

How to Remove the Page Number from the Title Page

The trick is to tell Word that your first page is “different” from the rest of the document.

1. First, add page numbers to your document normally. Go to the Insert tab, click Page Number, and choose your preferred location (e.g., Bottom of Page).
2. Your document now has page numbers on every page, including page 1.
3. Double-click the very bottom of the first page to open the Header & Footer menu. (The rest of your text will turn gray).
4. Look at the top ribbon menu. Under the “Header & Footer” tab, look for the “Options” section.
5. Check the box next to Different First Page.
6. The page number on your first page will immediately disappear. The second page will still show the number “2”.
7. Click the red Close Header and Footer button on the top right of the ribbon to return to your normal writing mode.

How to Make Page 2 Display as “Page 1”

By following the steps above, you hid the number on the title page, but your second page still says “2”. What if you want the second page of your document to be numbered as “1”? To do this, you have to change Word’s starting value.

1. Go to the Insert tab.
2. Click on Page Number.
3. From the drop-down menu, click on Format Page Numbers…
4. A small dialog box will appear. Look at the bottom section titled “Page numbering”.
5. Select the circle next to Start at:
6. In the box next to it, type the number 0 (Zero).
7. Click OK.

Because you told Word to start counting at 0, your title page (which has its number hidden) is technically Page 0. Your second page is now officially Page 1, your third page is Page 2, and so on.

Conclusion

Mastering these two small settings—”Different First Page” and “Start at 0″—will save you from the nightmare of creating two separate Word documents just to get your title page to look correct.