How to add a bit of pizazz to your page numbers in Microsoft Word

Image: Andreas Prott/Adobe Stock
When you add page numbers to a Microsoft Word file, you may not offer much idea to how they look. If you want to add a bit of pizazz so they really stand out, try adding graphics and bright colors to the page number.
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Im utilizing Microsoft 365 on a Windows 10 64-bit system, but you can utilize earlier versions. Word for the web doesnt display headers and footers, however if you print from the online version, Word will print them. The examples arent particularly design worthy: Im simply revealing you the possibilities.

How to place the page-numbering field in Word.
Before we can perk up the page numbers, we require to include the page-numbering field to a file. Typically, you d enter one, however well enter more than one so theres a couple of to deal with.
To get in a few page numbers, do the following:.

Click the Insert tab.
In the Illustrations group, click Shapes.
From the dropdown, select Hexagon from the Basic Shapes area.
Click inside the header and drag to position the hexagon behind the number, If needed, resize or drag the shape to rearrange. While youre sizing the shape, youll have the ability to see the number. When youre done, you wont (Figure B).
To expose the number, send the shape to the back by picking Send Behind Text from the Send Backward dropdown in the Arrange group.

Page numbers serve a crucial function in your Microsoft Word files, but they can be a bit dull. If you d like to draw attention to page numbers, try adding color and graphics.

Using the Shapes option on the Insert tab, add a circle and alter the color if you like. You may alter it to match a color in your organizations logo design. Hold down the Shift key as you size the circle to make sure you get an ideal circle.
Utilizing the Shapes option, insert the Arrow Pentagon in the Block Arrows section.
Select white from the Shape Fill alternative in the Shape Styles group on the contextual Shape Format tab. Position it on top of the circle.
Select both shapes and pick Group from the Group choice in the Arrange group on the contextual Shape Format tab.
With the 2 shapes organized (Figure E) you can move them together to the page number.
To expose the number, as displayed in Figure F, send the shape to the back by selecting Send Behind Text from the Send Backward dropdown in the Arrange group.

Figure A.
Add a page number to the header.
We didnt open the header, but Top of Page will always end up in the header. Use this alternative to include a couple of page numbers to the left margin and the existing position.
How to show a shape behind the page number in Word.
One simple technique is to show a shape behind the number. To show this method, open the header so we can work with that page number:.

Figure D.
Choose a text effects alternative.
As you can see in Figure D, I selected a blue overview choice.
You can do this with page numbers in the header or footer, however its a bit simpler to work in the body of the document. Later, you can paste the formatted number into the header if you like.
How to integrate shapes in Word.
A basic shape behind the number is easy to carry out, but lets integrate a few shapes to recommend a little bit of motion. You can move the shape when youre done producing it, so dont stress over positioning the combined shape behind the page number. Place it anywhere and reposition it when youre done.
Now, lets combine two shapes as follows:.

If needed, click the Home tab.
In the Font group, click Text Effects and Typography.
From the dropdown, choose any of the choices (Figure D).

Click the Insert tab.
In the Header & & Footer group, click Page Number.
In the resulting dialog, pick Top of Page.
Select Plain Number 1 from the resulting submenu (Figure A).

Figure B.
The number is gone.
As you can see in Figure C, the number shows up on top of the shape. Do not hesitate to alter the fill color, add a border, and so on.
Figure C.
The page number has a shape behind it.
How to use text impacts to format the page number in Word.
Another way to have a bit of enjoyable with page numbers is to format the number using text effects. To highlight this approach, select a page number and do the following:.

When you add page numbers to a Microsoft Word file, you might not give much thought to how they look. If you want to add a bit of pizazz so they truly stand out, attempt adding graphics and brilliant colors to the page number. You can move the shape when youre done developing it, so do not fret about placing the combined shape behind the page number. Far, weve utilized a couple of graphics to make page numbers stand out a bit, however Word uses a few that are all set to utilize– you will not have to construct them yourself. You can see one of these in Figure A. Look for the one with the vertical line between the word Page and the page number.

Figure E.
Group the 2 shapes.
Figure F.
Position the organized shape over the page number and then expose the number.
How to utilize built-in formats in Word.
Far, weve utilized a couple of graphics to make page numbers stand out a bit, however Word provides a couple of that are prepared to use– you wont have to develop them yourself. You can see one of these in Figure A. Look for the one with the vertical line in between the word Page and the page number. I didnt develop that. I merely placed it from the Page Number dropdown.
Prior to you spend too much time constructing page-numbering highlights, review the alternatives currently readily available. Figure G shows numerous of them and there are many more.
Figure G.
Word provides a number of integrated page-numbering formats.
Plain page numbers are fine for the majority of files. Utilize graphics and color to make them stand out when you desire to highlight page numbers. This is especially valuable when the header or footer location has more material than the page number.

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