Template Issues

Fix Missing Page Number Designs and Footer Issues in Word 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to access standard built-in footer and page number designs in Word 365, only seeing the 'More page numbers from Office.com' option.

Product: Microsoft Word 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Trying to insert built-in page numbers or format footer designs into a document.
Observed behavior: Word displays only the 'More page numbers from Office.com' prompt and completely blocks access to the standard built-in page number and footer designs.

Before you start

Ensure that you have saved all your active documents and completely closed Microsoft Word 365 before modifying system or application template files.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore Built-in Building Blocks File

Deleting the corrupted template file forces Word 365 to generate a fresh copy, restoring all missing built-in page numbers and footer designs.

The missing templates issue usually occurs when the internal 'Built-in Building Blocks.dotx' file becomes corrupted or misplaced. Deleting this file is completely safe; Microsoft Word will automatically detect it is missing and rebuild it with the factory default settings upon the next launch.

Close Word

Ensure all instances of Microsoft Word 365 are completely closed so the template files are not locked.

Open File Explorer

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, or open File Explorer.

Navigate to the Document Building Blocks folder

Navigate to the path: C:\Users\<ProfileName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Document Building Blocks\1033\16 (replace <ProfileName> with your actual Windows username).

Delete the corrupted file

Locate the file named 'Built-in Building Blocks.dotx' and delete it from the folder.

Restart Word

Restart Word 365, go to the Insert tab, and try accessing the Page Number or Footer designs to verify they are restored.

Hidden Folders: The AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows. You may need to enable 'Hidden items' in the File Explorer View tab to navigate to this path.

Solution 2

Use the Keyboard Shortcut for Quick Page Numbers

If you only need a basic page number and do not require specific design templates, you can use a built-in keyboard shortcut to bypass the menu entirely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Template Corruption with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word frequently experiences missing templates or corrupted building blocks, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight, and highly compatible word processing environment for free.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the official website.
2. Open your document: Open your existing .docx document directly in WPS Writer without losing any formatting.
3. Insert reliable page numbers: Go to the Insert tab and select Page Number to instantly access stable, built-in design options.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats, including .docx, .doc, and .dotx templates.Built-in, stable gallery of page numbers, headers, and footers that load reliably without complex system file dependencies.Lightweight installation that avoids heavy system resource usage and frequent corruption.Free to download and use with a highly familiar user interface for a seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word 365 only show 'More page numbers from Office.com'?

This happens when Word's internal template file, specifically 'Built-in Building Blocks.dotx', becomes corrupted, missing, or blocked by a faulty add-in, preventing the local built-in designs from loading correctly.

Will deleting 'Built-in Building Blocks.dotx' erase my custom templates?

No. This specific file only contains the default factory templates provided by Microsoft. Your personal templates, Quick Parts, and customized building blocks are safely stored in a separate file named 'Building Blocks.dotx' or 'Normal.dotm'.

What if I can't find the AppData folder to fix the page numbers?

The AppData folder is a hidden system folder in Windows. To see it, open File Explorer, click on the View tab at the top of the window, and check the box labeled 'Hidden items'. Alternatively, you can type '%appdata%' directly into the File Explorer address bar.

Document & File Issues