Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Formatting Line Numbers.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 8, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Word allows you to add line numbers to your documents, as you have learned in other issues of WordTips. You might be wondering how to change the formatting of the line numbers. Word makes it quite simple by relying on styles for its line numbers. Simply follow these steps:

Figure 1. The Modify Style dialog box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6272) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Formatting Line Numbers.
 
                        Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Word allows you to easily apply numbered lists to your paragraphs. You may decide that you want the numbers in the list ...
Discover MoreWant to make your text look good on the finished page? This tip discusses a common speed bump in this quest--making the ...
Discover MoreIf you want to have a blank page at the end of a document section, you can insert one manually or you can use the ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2025-07-25 09:24:58
Allen Wyatt
Lori, your comment made me go back and check in Microsoft 365. There *is* style called Line Number. In the Styles task pane, you need to make sure that all styles are listed and it is helpful to list them in alphabetical order. (You can do both by clicking Options at the bottom of the Styles task pane.)
Anyway, it really is there.
-Allen
2025-07-24 20:18:08
Lori
There is no style call line number, or anything similar. I'm using 365 Apps for Business.
2024-03-18 19:04:47
Exactly what I was going for
2023-12-15 17:44:40
Shane
Thanks! It worked!!!
2023-09-26 22:45:32
H
Thank you, this was very helpful for my manuscript! The different font was really bothering me :)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments