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: Default Font for Page Numbers.

Default Font for Page Numbers

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 9, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365


Pat wants to know how he can change the default font for inserting page numbers into a header. The answer depends on how you are inserting page numbers in your headers and footers.

If you insert your page numbers by using the Field dialog box, then the PAGE field assumes the style used by the text wherever the field is inserted. In this case, you need to go in and make a change directly to the formatting of the field itself (using either the various formatting options or by using the charformat switch in the field).

A lot of people, however, rely on the use of the Page Number tool on the Insert tab of the ribbon. This tool allows you to add all sorts of fancy looking page numbers to your document. Each choice made available by the Page Number tool results in some rather extensive formatting being applied to the page number.

There is no way to change the default formatting applied by the Page Number tool. Instead, you need to pick the format that is the closest to what you want and then change the formatting directly so that it reflects what you really want. You can do this either through explicit formatting or by defining styles and then applying the styles to the page number.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (11241) 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: Default Font for Page Numbers.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Filling A Drawing Object

Creating a drawing object can be just the first step in putting together your masterpiece drawing. This tip explains how ...

Discover More

Tool to View Field Codes

Fields can be used to add all sorts of dynamic data to your documents. Viewing the field codes, at times, is desirable. ...

Discover More

Spell Checking Your Document

One of the final touches that many people perform is to check the spelling of their document. This can help improve the ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Understanding Page Sizes

When you create a document, you need to be concerned about the final size of the page you will be creating. Word supports ...

Discover More

Automatic Page Numbers in New Documents

If you want to have page numbers in your documents, by default, the easiest solution is to make your changes in ...

Discover More

Printing A4 on Letter Size Paper

For those around the world using the metric system, the standard size for many documents is referred to as an A4 page. If ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 3 + 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

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.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.