Applies ToWord for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac Word 2024 Word 2024 for Mac Word 2021 Word 2021 for Mac Word 2019 Word 2019 for Mac Word 2016

Download this template Or in Word, go to File > New, and search for cover page numbering top (choose single-sided, not double-sided).

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This template gives you a document that's laid out so that the cover page has no page number. Numbering begins at 1 on the next page. The template works best when used with single-sided printing, or for documents that are meant to be viewed online. 

Replace the text in the document with your own, and follow these tips for customizing the page numbers or header:

  1. Double-click the page number to edit the header.

  2. Press Ctrl+L to put the page number on the left, or press Ctrl+E to center the page number.

  1. On the Insert tab, in the Header & Footer group, go to Page Number > Top of Page

  2. Scroll down until you come to the Page X of Y page numbers, and then select Bold Numbers 3.

  1. Double-click the page number to edit the header.

  2. Enter the text you want, such as p. or Page.

  1. On the Insert tab, in the Header & Footer group, go to Header > Blank (Three Columns).

  2. Replace the placeholders with your content. To insert content that comes from the document (like author and file name), use Document Info on the Header & Footer Tools > Design tab.

    Screenshot showing Document Info and Date & Time buttons on the Word ribbon

    To add the current date, pick Date & Time on that same tab.

    Tip: If you want the printed document to always show the date it's printed, select Update Automatically.

  3. Use one of the placeholders for the page number. On the Header & Footer Tools > Design tab, go to Page Number > Current Position, and choose Plain Number. Screen shot that shows choosing Plain format page number at the current position in the document

  4. If you don't use all the placeholders, delete the ones you don't use.

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