Formatting Issues

How to Insert Arabic Numeral Page Numbers in Word 2016

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 16, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to display standard Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for page numbers instead of Arabic letter-style numbering in an Arabic document.

How to Insert Arabic Numeral Page Numbers in Word 2016

Product: Microsoft Word 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting an Arabic text document with standard page numbers.
Observed behavior: The document incorrectly displays Arabic letter-style numbering for page numbers instead of standard Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).

Before you start

Ensure that Arabic language support is installed on your operating system and that your Word document is currently set to use Arabic as the primary proofing language.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Page Number Format and Document Language

Use the Format Page Numbers dialog to select the standard 1, 2, 3 format and adjust the document language or advanced numeral settings if needed.

Microsoft Word sometimes defaults to native script numbering when typing in certain languages. Adjusting both the page number format and the global numeral settings ensures standard 1, 2, 3 formatting is applied correctly.

Insert Page Number

Go to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon, click on 'Page Number', and choose your preferred location (e.g., Bottom of Page).

Open Format Page Numbers

Click 'Page Number' again and select 'Format Page Numbers...' from the drop-down menu.

Select Number Format

In the Number format drop-down list, select the '1, 2, 3, ...' option and click 'OK'.

Verify Language Settings

If the numbers still display incorrectly, go to the 'Review' tab, click 'Language', select 'Set Proofing Language', and ensure it is set to Arabic.

Check Advanced Numeral Settings

Navigate to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the 'Show document content' section, find the 'Numeral' dropdown, and change it from 'Hindi' to 'Context' or 'Arabic'.

Configure Page Number Format and Document Language

Numeral Settings Explained: Setting the numeral option to 'Context' allows Word to display standard numerals in English text and Arabic numerals in Arabic text seamlessly.

Format Page Numbers Easily

Insert Page Numbers Flawlessly in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for formatting documents in multiple languages. You can easily switch page number formats and manage numeral styles without digging through complex advanced settings.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open your text document in WPS Writer.
2. Insert Page Numbers: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click on 'Page Number', and select your desired page position.
3. Format the Numbers: In the Page Number formatting panel, choose the '1, 2, 3' format directly from the style options.
4. Apply Settings: Click 'OK' to apply the standard numeral formatting instantly to your entire document.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive page numbering and formatting toolsExcellent multi-language text supportFree and lightweight alternative for document editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do page numbers appear as native letters instead of 1, 2, 3?

This happens when Word's advanced numeral settings are set to 'Hindi' (which displays Eastern Arabic numerals) or when the document language overrides the standard format. Changing the numeral setting to 'Context' or 'Arabic' in File > Options > Advanced resolves this issue.

Can I use different page number formats in the same Word document?

Yes. You can use section breaks (Layout > Breaks > Next Page) to divide your document. Then, double-click the header/footer, deselect 'Link to Previous', and apply different page number formats to each section using the 'Format Page Numbers' menu.

How do I ensure my numbering updates automatically when adding new pages?

As long as you insert page numbers using the Insert > Page Number tool rather than typing them manually into the header or footer, Word will automatically calculate and update the numbering as your document grows.

Document & File Issues