How to Add Page Numbers in Pages: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to add page numbers in Pages is a common question for Mac users who use Apple’s word processor to create documents. Whether you’re writing an academic paper, a report, or a book, adding page numbers helps keep your document organized and professional. Pages, Apple’s alternative to Microsoft Word, offers flexible ways to insert and customize page numbers according to your needs.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of adding page numbers in Pages on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. We’ll also cover how to format, remove, and troubleshoot common issues related to page numbering.

Why Add Page Numbers in Pages?

Page numbers play a crucial role in structuring documents, making navigation easier for readers. Here are some key reasons why you should add page numbers in Pages:

• Professionalism – Documents with page numbers look polished and well-structured.
• Easy Navigation – Readers can easily locate specific sections in long documents.
• Mandatory for Academic and Business Documents – Many formatting styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) require page numbers.
• Better Printing and Organization – Helps when printing documents, ensuring correct order.

Now, let’s dive into how to add page numbers in Pages across different Apple devices.

How to Add Page Numbers in Pages

How to Add Page Numbers in Pages on Mac

Adding page numbers in Pages on Mac is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch the Pages app on your Mac and open your document. If you’re starting a new document, choose a blank template or any template that suits your needs.

Step 2: Access the Header and Footer Section

1. Click on View in the top menu.
2. Select Show Layout. This will reveal the header and footer areas where you can insert page numbers.

Step 3: Insert Page Numbers

1. Click inside the header or footer where you want the page number to appear.
2. Go to the Insert menu at the top.
3. Select Page Number from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Choose a Page Number Style

Pages allows you to format page numbers in different styles:

• 1, 2, 3 (Standard format)
• i, ii, iii (Roman numerals for introductions and forewords)
• A, B, C (Alphabetic format)

Choose the style that best suits your document.

Step 5: Customize Page Numbering

1. After inserting the page number, click on it to access formatting options.
2. Use the Format panel (on the right) to adjust the font, size, alignment, and style.
3. If you want the numbering to start on a specific page, select Section in the Document sidebar and adjust the settings.

Step 6: Save and Review

Ensure the page numbers appear correctly on all pages, then save your document.

How to Add Page Numbers in Pages on iPad and iPhone

You can also add page numbers in Pages using an iPad or iPhone. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Document

Launch the Pages app on your iPad or iPhone and open your document.

Step 2: Enable the Header and Footer

1. Tap the More Options (•••) button.
2. Select Document Setup.
3. Toggle on Headers & Footers to enable page numbering.

Step 3: Insert Page Numbers

1. Tap in the header or footer where you want the page number.
2. Tap Page Numbers from the toolbar.

Step 4: Format the Page Numbers

Use the formatting options to change the style, alignment, and numbering format.

Step 5: Apply to the Whole Document

Ensure the numbering is consistent across all pages by selecting Apply to Whole Document.

Step 6: Save and Export

Once done, tap Done and save your document. You can also export it as a PDF or Word file if needed.

How to Remove Page Numbers in Pages

If you need to remove page numbers, follow these steps:

On Mac:

1. Open your document in Pages.
2. Click on the header or footer containing the page number.
3. Delete the page number manually or go to Insert > Page Number > None.

On iPad/iPhone:

1. Open the document in Pages.
2. Go to Document Setup and turn off Headers & Footers.
3. Delete the page number and tap Done.

How to Customize Page Numbers in Pages

Starting Page Numbers on a Specific Page

Sometimes, you may want to start numbering from a specific page, such as after a cover page or table of contents. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on the page where you want to start numbering.
2. Go to Document Sidebar > Section.
3. Check Start at Page 1 and adjust the numbering as needed.

Using Different Numbering Styles in Different Sections

If your document has multiple sections (e.g., an introduction in Roman numerals and the main content in Arabic numbers), follow these steps:

1. Insert a section break before the new section.
2. Apply a different numbering style to each section using the Format panel.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Page Numbers Not Showing

• Ensure that Headers & Footers are enabled in Document Setup.
• Check if your document is in Page Layout Mode instead of Word Processing Mode (Page Layout Mode does not support automatic numbering).

Page Numbers Restarting Incorrectly

• Go to Document Sidebar > Section and uncheck Restart Page Numbering if needed.

Page Number Positioning Issues

• Adjust margins using Document Setup to ensure proper positioning.

Final Thoughts

Adding page numbers in Pages is an essential skill for creating well-structured and professional documents. Whether you’re working on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, the process is simple and customizable. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently insert, format, and customize page numbers to meet your specific needs.