Formatting Issues

How to Add Page X of Y to a Word Footer on Mac

Huda Qurayshi Oct 13, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to insert a page number format displaying both the current page and total page count (e.g., Page 2 of 10) aligned to the bottom-right of a Word document footer on a Mac.

How to Add 'Page X of Y' to a Word Footer on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Formatting a professional document to clearly show readers the current page in relation to the total length of the document.
Observed behavior: Word for Mac lacks the direct 'Page X of Y' preset in the standard Insert Page Number dialog, requiring users to rely on AutoText or manual field code insertion.

Before you start

Make sure your document is open in Word for Mac and navigate to the page where you wish to begin displaying your page numbers.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert 'Page X of Y' Using AutoText

The quickest method to add the 'Page X of Y' format in Word for Mac is by utilizing the built-in AutoText feature directly from the footer.

While Word for Mac does not include this specific format in the standard Page Number menu, the AutoText library contains a pre-built field for it.

Access the Footer

Double-click on the bottom margin of your Word document to open the Header & Footer view and place your cursor in the footer section.

Align to the Right

Navigate to the Home tab on the top ribbon and click the 'Align Right' button so your cursor moves to the bottom-right corner.

Insert AutoText

From the top macOS menu bar, click on Insert > AutoText > Page X of Y. The formatted page number and total page count will instantly appear.

Solution 2

Insert Field Codes Manually

If the AutoText option is unavailable or you want custom formatting, you can manually insert the PAGE and NUMPAGES field codes.

Quickly Format Page Numbers

Easily Add 'Page X of Y' Footers with WPS Writer

WPS Office simplifies document formatting by including the 'Page X of Y' style directly in its page number presets. You can insert it effortlessly without needing to navigate complex menus or memorize field code shortcuts.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer on your Mac and open the document you want to paginate.
2. Access the Insert Tab: Click on the 'Insert' tab located in the top toolbar, then click on 'Page Number'.
3. Select the Format: In the Page Number settings panel, choose the 'Page X of Y' format from the preview list, set the position to the bottom right, and click OK.

One-click insertion of 'Page X of Y' and other page numbering formatsSeamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx)Intuitive and highly familiar user interface for Mac usersFree and lightweight Microsoft Office alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find 'Page X of Y' in the Word for Mac Page Number menu?

Unlike the Windows version of Microsoft Word, Word for Mac does not list the 'Page X of Y' preset in the standard Insert > Page Number dialog. Instead, Microsoft moved this specific layout into the Insert > AutoText menu for macOS users.

How do I make 'Page 1 of Y' start on the second page of my document?

Double-click your footer to open the Header & Footer settings, check the box for 'Different First Page', and then insert the 'Page X of Y' AutoText specifically on the second page. You can then format the page number settings to 'Start at 0' or 'Start at 1' depending on how you want the cover page counted.

Will the total page count update automatically if I write more pages?

Yes. Whether you use the AutoText method or the manual field codes, Word employs dynamic fields. If you add or delete pages, Word automatically updates the { NUMPAGES } field to reflect your document's current total page count.

Can I align the 'Page X of Y' to the center instead of the right?

Yes, absolutely. Once you place your cursor inside the footer, simply go to the Home tab and click 'Align Center' (or press Cmd + E) before you insert the AutoText or manual field codes.

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