A word processor might not be the first productivity tool that comes to mind when considering a task that involves numbers. Spreadsheet packages like Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are the go-to apps for numerical automation and with good reason. However, the page numbering at the top or bottom of a page is usually done within word processors like Google Docs. Page numbers are crucial in many documents, especially lengthy business proposals, research papers, and academic essays. They stop your reader from getting lost and add a touch of professionalism.

The next time you work on a project that's grown into more than a few pages, take advantage of the Google Docs automatic page numbering feature. That way, you and your readers will always know where you are within the document, and you'll avoid adding page numbers manually. This article shows you how to use this function, whether you're working on a PC or a high-end Android phone,

You can't add page numbers to documents that are being viewed in the "pageless" format. You must be on the "page view" to use the function alongside headers and footers. If your document includes page numbers, switching to the "pageless" format renders them invisible. Navigate to File > Page setup to change views.

How to add page numbers to Google Docs web

Working with Google Docs is straightforward. Most formatting rules and tools, including page numbers, are featured on the main toolbar. Here's how to add them to your documents.

  1. Open the file to be numbered in Google Docs.
  2. Select the Format tab on the toolbar.
  3. Click Page Numbers beneath the Headers and Footers option. A pop-up appears in the middle of the screen.
    The Google Docs Format menu showing how to add page numbers
  4. Choose your preferred options, such as the position (header or footer) of the page numbers.
  5. Click Apply.
    The Google Docs Page numbers dialog box showing how to choose the position and numbering of page numbers

You can also navigate to Insert > Page numbers to choose an option. If you don't see the format you want, select More options to open the Page numbers pop-up.

The Google Docs Page numbers option showing different ways to place page numbers in a document

Add page numbers to every page but the first

By default, Docs adds numbers to your document from the first page. However, you can force the numbering to start on the second page. Double click the footer, select Options on the right, and choose Page numbers from the drop-down list. Then, deselect the Show on first page option. This removes the numbering from the document's first page, while the second page starts at number two.

Chose whether to add a page number to the first page of a Google Docs document

What if the first page is a title page, and you want the second page to be numbered "1"? This is also doable. Go to the Page numbers setting and ensure Show on first page is turned off. Then, enter 0 in the box beside Start at. This starts the page numbering from zero but prevents it from showing up on page one of the document.

The Google Docs Page numbers dialog box showing how to start page numbering at a custom number

How to move a page number

The page numbers appear in the right margin of the document by default. However, they can be moved to the left or center. Double click the header or footer where the page numbers are located. Then go to the toolbar and select either the Left align or Center align options.

Use the text alignment buttons in the toolbar to change the position of the page number

You can customize the position using the Decrease indent and Increase indent buttons on the toolbar. This shifts the position of the page numbering to the next tab stop, somewhat like the tab button.

Use the Increase indent and Decrease indent buttons to move the page number slightly to the left or right

Most of the usual formatting options are available for page numbers. You can change the font type and size, text and highlight colors, bold, italicize, underline, and more. You can also bullet them with radio buttons or numbers.

How to add page numbers to Google Docs mobile

Typing on the Google Docs mobile app is anything but a productivity hack, even on the best Android phones. But some situations force you to use it. If you're ever in such a condition and need to number a document quickly, here's how:

  1. Open the document in the Google Docs app.
  2. Tap the Edit button (pen icon) in the lower-right corner.
  3. Tap the Insert (plus) icon.
  4. Select Page number (second to the last option). A set of four layouts displays. Two layouts have numbers on the bottom, and two have numbers on the top. The two layouts in each set are then differentiated based on whether the numbering starts on page one or two.
    Click the plus icon to insert page numbers in the Google Docs mobile app
    Select Page number to add a page number to Google Docs
  5. Select any of the layouts to number your document automatically.
    Choose how you want the page numbers to appear in a Google Docs document

Like the desktop web version, Google Docs mobile lets you customize the position, change the look, and highlight the colors of the numbering. Bulleting, underlining, and italicizing options are also available.

Choose an alignment option for the page number
You can also add special formatting to the page number in Google Docs

The screenshots are taken from the Android app. However, the process is similar when working with iOS.

How to delete page numbers in Google Docs

If you add page numbers to your document and decide to remove them, it's easy to do so. First, double click any page number to enter the header or footer editing mode (depending on whether you added the numbering to the top or bottom) and click the Options button on the right of the display. Then, select Remove footer from the drop-down list. All the numbers are removed automatically.

On the mobile app, tap a page number to highlight it. Then, delete it using the Delete button on your keyboard. The entire numbering is removed.

How to add a page count

If you want to specify the number of pages at the end of a document, a page count is the perfect way to do that.

  1. Go to the Insert tab.
  2. Select Page numbers.
  3. Choose Page count.
    Add a page count to a Google Docs document

This automatically adds a page counter to the position of your cursor. The count updates when pages are added to or removed from the document.

You cannot add a page count on the Google Docs mobile app.

Make your essays and reports more professional

Whether you're a student writing essays or a professional drafting a business proposal, adding page numbers to your Google Docs document is a simple but effective way to improve the presentation of your writing. And, if you're serious about fully leveraging the power of Google Docs, look into the other tips and tricks that can set your work apart.