Troubleshoot a Page Number That Does Not Update in the Word 2016 Status Bar
Question details
The user wants the Word 2016 status bar to update its current page number automatically when the cursor moves to another page.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating a multipage document and using the status bar to track the cursor's current page.
- Observed behavior
- The status bar continues to show the previous page number. Repairing Office and reselecting Page Number do not consistently resolve the issue; clicking the page count several times may refresh it.
Open a multipage document in Word 2016 and locate the status bar at the bottom of the window. Click inside the text on another page to move the insertion point; scrolling alone does not necessarily change the current-page indicator.
Refresh the status bar and enable both page-number indicators
Use this first to check the status bar settings and refresh a page-number display that appears stuck.
Right-click the status bar at the bottom of the Word window to open its customization menu.
Click Page Number to clear its check mark. Right-click the status bar again and click Page Number to enable it again.
Right-click the status bar and make sure Formatted Page Number is also checked. Keep both Page Number and Formatted Page Number enabled.
Close the menu and click inside text on a different page. Compare the status bar indicators with the insertion point's location to see whether they refresh.
Test whether cursor navigation refreshes the page number
Use this when both page-number indicators are enabled but the status bar still updates late or only after repeated clicks.
Work with Word documents in WPS Writer
WPS Office is a free, lightweight, easy-to-use alternative for editing Word documents. WPS Writer offers a familiar interface and Microsoft Word format compatibility for a straightforward transition, but it does not repair Word 2016's status bar issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the status bar still show the old page after I scroll?
The current-page indicator generally follows the insertion point, not just the page visible on screen. Click inside text on the new page. If the indicator still shows the previous page, try right-clicking the status bar and toggling Page Number off and on.
How do I display both Page Number and Formatted Page Number?
Right-click the status bar at the bottom of Word and enable both Page Number and Formatted Page Number. Reopen the menu if needed to confirm that both options have check marks.
What is the difference between the two page-number indicators?
Page Number identifies the page's position in the document. Formatted Page Number reflects the numbering assigned through the document's page-number settings, which may restart in a section or use a format such as Roman numerals.
What should I try if toggling Page Number does not help?
Click inside the document, press Ctrl+End, then try Alt+Left Arrow and observe the status bar. This is a navigation test, not a confirmed fix. If the display remains stale, capture a screenshot showing the insertion point and the status bar for further support.
Will installing WPS Office fix the Word 2016 status bar?
No. WPS Office does not repair Microsoft Word. It provides a separate editor, WPS Writer, where you can open and edit compatible .doc and .docx documents instead.
