NUMBERING BOOK PAGES

Do not number your manuscript until you’re certain no additional changes will be made.

Microsoft Word – Windows 11

I watched YouTube videos, read articles, and spent far too much time trying to figure out how to number my book correctly. In the end, it wasn’t as hard as it seemed. I summarized everything below, so I never forget how to do it — and now you won’t have to struggle either.

STEP 1: Insert Section Breaks at the End of Each Chapter

Go to the Home tab and click the ¶ Paragraph Mark. This lets you see exactly where your section breaks are.

• Scroll to the very last word of your chapter. Place your cursor at the end — including after the period.

• Go to the Layout tab → Breaks → Section Breaks → Next Page. You will see a line labeled SECTION BREAK (NEXT PAGE).

• If the break ends up on the wrong page, use Backspace or Enter to move it. The section break should stay at the bottom of the final page of the chapter.

• Repeat this for every chapter in your book.

• When you’re done, you can turn off paragraph marks by clicking ¶ again.

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STEP 2: Turn On Important Header & Footer Options

These settings are required so your Chapter One first page is not numbered, and so the rest number correctly.

To access these settings:

• Go to Insert → Header → Edit Header.

• The Header & Footer toolbar will appear at the top.

  
  

Check these three boxes:

• Different First Page

• Different Odd & Even Pages (optional, but recommended for printed books)

• Show Document Text

These settings ensure your page numbers behave correctly throughout your book.

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STEP 3: Start Page Numbering on the Second Page of Each Chapter

Go to the second page of your chapter. (The first page of the chapter should not be numbered.)

• Click at the very beginning of the first line on that page.

• Go to Insert → Page Number → Format Page Numbers.

• In the box that appears:

  • Under Page Numbering, click Start at:

  • Type 1

  • Click OK

    
    

This tells Word that the second page of your chapter is officially “Page 1.”

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STEP 4: Insert and Position the Page Numbers

Go to Insert → Page Number again.

• Choose the position you want:

  • Top of Page

  • Bottom of Page

  • Left, Right, Center — Pick whatever matches your book’s design.

• Word will now:

  • Skip numbering the chapter’s first page

  • Begin numbering the second page with 1

  • Continue numbering to the end of that chapter

• Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for every chapter. The only thing that changes is the number you type into “Start at."

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Troubleshooting (Important!)

If Word starts repeating page numbers, or numbering begins incorrectly:

• You may have accidentally inserted a Page Break instead of a Section Break.

• Go back to Step 1 and confirm every chapter ends with: SECTION BREAK (NEXT PAGE)

• Delete and reinsert the correct break if needed.

  
  

This is the #1 mistake writers make — fix the break, and the numbers will fix themselves.

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A Final Tip About Page Numbering

Page numbering is part technique and part art. You can keep it simple or coordinate your numbers and chapter headings with your cover design and book style. When everything matches, your book looks truly professional.

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The Final Step Before You Publish

Your cover is the icing on your book’s cake — choose it carefully! Ask for feedback, try multiple versions, and take your time. When everything looks right, upload your beautifully numbered manuscript and celebrate. You did it!

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What you do next may be one of the most important things you do for yourself and your book. A well-thought-out book deserves a well-thought-out cover! Think of the cover as the icing on your favorite cake. Choose several options and show them to as many people as you can. Get feedback. Don’t rush because you’re feeling anxious to publish. I understand the excitement but pause for a moment — take a deep breath and take your time. Have fun with it, enjoy the process, and choose the cover that feels right!

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