Formatting Issues

How to Fix Roman and Arabic Page Numbering in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to format a document with Roman numerals for the preliminary pages and Arabic numbers for the main content, but is experiencing an issue where the page numbering incorrectly starts at zero.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a multi-part document, such as a thesis or formal report, that requires different page numbering styles for the front matter and the main body.
Observed behavior: Inserting section breaks causes the page numbering to default to a zero-based sequence instead of correctly starting at 1 or i.

Before you start

Before adjusting your page numbers, click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button on the Home tab to make section breaks visible, ensuring you know exactly where the front matter ends and the main content begins.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Section Breaks and Reformat Page Numbers

By unlinking the sections of your document, you can apply distinct number formats and restart the count independently without affecting other pages.

Microsoft Word links headers and footers across the entire document by default. To use different numbering styles, you must first separate the document into sections and break the link between them. This allows you to apply Roman numerals to the first section and Arabic numbers to the second, while manually setting the starting number to resolve the zero-based numbering glitch.

Insert a Next Page Section Break

Place your cursor at the very bottom of the last page of your front matter. Go to the Layout tab, click on Breaks, and select 'Next Page' under Section Breaks.

Unlink the Sections

Double-click inside the footer area of the first page of your main content (the new section). In the Header & Footer tab that appears, click 'Link to Previous' to turn it off.

Format Front Matter with Roman Numerals

Click into the footer of your front matter section. Navigate to Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers. Change the Number format to Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, ...) and set 'Start at' to i.

Format Main Content and Fix Zero-Based Numbering

Click into the footer of your main content section. Go back to Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers. Ensure the Number format is set to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, ...) and manually set 'Start at' to 1 to correct the zero-based error.

Remove Page Number from the Cover

If your document has a cover page, double-click its header/footer, check 'Different First Page' in the Header & Footer tab, and delete the page number field.

Format Verification: Scroll through your document to verify that the transition from Roman numeral 'iv' (for example) seamlessly switches to Arabic numeral '1' on the exact page you intended.

WPS Writer Document Formatting

How to Format Complex Page Numbers in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a streamlined and highly intuitive approach to managing complex document layouts. Handling section breaks and setting up multiple page numbering styles like Roman and Arabic numerals is incredibly easy, ensuring a professional look for your reports or thesis.

1. Insert a Section Break: Click at the end of your preliminary pages. Go to the Page Layout tab, click Breaks, and select Next Page Section Break.
2. Unlink Sections: Double-click the footer of the new section to enter the Header and Footer tab, then click 'Link to Previous' to disable the connection.
3. Customize Page Numbers: Go to the Insert tab and click Page Number. Choose your alignment, then select Format Page Numbers to assign Roman or Arabic numerals and define your starting number.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formatting.Intuitive section navigation for effortless header and footer management.Dedicated Page Number settings panel to avoid zero-based numbering errors.Free, lightweight, and available across Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my page numbering start at 0 instead of 1?

This occurs when a new section is created and the page number formatting defaults to 0. You can resolve this by navigating to Insert > Page Number > Format Page Numbers and manually changing the 'Start at' value from 0 to 1.

How do I remove the page number from the title page only?

Double-click the header or footer of your title page to access the Header & Footer tab. Check the box labeled 'Different First Page', which allows you to delete the page number on the first page without affecting the numbering on subsequent pages.

Does deleting a section break mess up my page numbering?

Yes, deleting a section break merges the section preceding the break with the section following it. The merged section will adopt the formatting, including page numbering and headers, of the second section. You will need to re-insert the break to restore independent numbering.

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