How to Add an Unnumbered Cover Page and Start Numbering on Page 2
Question details
The user needs to format a document so that the first page (cover page) has no page number, and the second page starts with the page number 1.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Formatting a document with a cover page that shouldn't display a page number.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to maintain the cover page and numbered pages in one continuous document while starting the visible page numbering at 1 on the second page.
Ensure your document already contains the cover page as the first page and that you have not inserted unnecessary manual page breaks that might interfere with continuous document formatting.
Use 'Different First Page' and Set Numbering to Start at 0
This is the most straightforward method to hide the page number on the cover page and start numbering at 1 on the second page without needing complex section breaks.
By enabling the 'Different First Page' option, Word creates a separate header and footer specifically for the first page. Setting the page number to start at 0 means the second page naturally becomes page 1.
Double-click the header or footer area at the top or bottom of your document to open the Header & Footer settings tab.
In the Header & Footer menu on the ribbon, check the box next to 'Different First Page'. If there is a page number on the first page, delete it.
Navigate to the second page. Click on 'Page Number' in the ribbon and select 'Format Page Numbers...' from the drop-down menu.
In the Page Number Format dialog box, locate the 'Page numbering' section at the bottom. Select 'Start at', enter '0' in the box, and click 'OK'.
Use Section Breaks for Documents with Multiple Unnumbered Pages
If your front matter involves multiple unnumbered pages (such as a title page, copyright page, and table of contents), using a Next Page section break is required.
Format Page Numbers Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface to manage page numbering, headers, footers, and section breaks. It allows you to customize cover pages and numbering sequences effortlessly.
- 1. Open Header & Footer: Open your document in WPS Writer and double-click the top or bottom margin to enter the Header/Footer editing mode.
- 2. Apply Different First Page: In the Header/Footer ribbon, check the 'Different First Page' option and delete any text or numbers on the first page.
- 3. Insert Page Numbering: Navigate to the Insert tab, click 'Page Number', and select your preferred style to apply it to the document.
- 4. Adjust Start Number: Click 'Page Number' again, select 'Format Page Numbers', choose 'Start at', enter '0', and click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my page number still show on the first page after selecting 'Different First Page'?
Selecting 'Different First Page' creates a separate, independent header and footer for the first page. You must manually highlight and delete the page number specifically on that first page. The numbers on subsequent pages will remain intact.
Can I start page numbering at a specific number other than 1?
Yes, you can. Go to 'Format Page Numbers' under the Page Number menu, and in the 'Start at' box, enter the exact number you want your page numbering sequence to begin with.
How do I start page numbering on page 3 or later?
For numbering starting beyond page 2, you must insert a 'Next Page' Section Break at the end of your unnumbered pages (e.g., at the end of page 2). Then, enter the header/footer of page 3, turn off 'Link to Previous', and start the page numbering at 1 in the new section.
