How to Display Word Count in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Keeping track of your word count can be essential, whether you’re writing an essay, a report, or even a novel. Microsoft Word makes it easy to display the word count for your document. Here’s a quick overview of how to do it: Open your document in Word, go to the "Review" tab, click on "Word Count", and a box will pop up showing you the number of words, characters, paragraphs, and pages in your document. Simple, right? Let’s dive into more detail.

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Display Word Count in Word

Before we get started, it’s important to know that knowing the word count is not just about meeting a requirement, but it can also help you manage your content effectively.

Step 1: Open your document in Word

Open the document you want to check the word count for in Microsoft Word.

This is pretty straightforward—if you don’t have your document open, you can’t check the word count! Make sure you’ve saved your work before you start looking for the word count, so you don’t lose anything.

Step 2: Click on the "Review" tab

At the top of your Word document, click on the "Review" tab in the toolbar.

The "Review" tab is where you’ll find tools to proofread your document, like spell check, but it’s also where the word count tool is located.

Step 3: Click on "Word Count"

In the "Review" tab, you’ll see a button labeled "Word Count." Click on it.

When you click on the "Word Count" button, a small box will pop up. It might take a second to appear, especially if you have a long document.

Step 4: Check your word count

A box will pop up showing you the number of words, characters, paragraphs, and pages in your document.

The word count box doesn’t just show the number of words; it also gives you other useful information. For example, if you need to know the number of characters for a character-limited submission, you can find that here too.

After you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have a clear understanding of how long your document is. This can be particularly useful if you have a word limit you need to stick to.

Tips for Managing Word Count in Word

• If you want to keep an eye on your word count as you write, you can select the option to display it at the bottom of your document.
• Remember, headers, footers, and text boxes might not be included in the word count unless you select them.
• If you’re working to a strict limit, keep an eye on the character count too—some places count spaces as characters!
• You can exclude textboxes, footnotes, and endnotes from the word count if you need to.
• If you’re working collaboratively, make sure everyone knows how to check the word count—it can save a lot of time and confusion!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the word count as I type?

Yes, Word can display a live word count at the bottom of the screen as you type.

If you look at the bottom left corner of your Word document, you should see the word count there. If it’s not visible, right-click on the status bar and click on "Word Count" to make it appear.

Does the word count include text in headers and footers?

By default, it does not include text in headers, footers, or text boxes.

If you need these included in your word count, you’ll have to manually select the text within them when you check the word count.

Can I see the word count for a specific section of text?

Yes, you can highlight the text you want to count, and then open the word count box.

When you highlight text and then click on the "Word Count" button, the box will show the word count for just the highlighted section.

How accurate is Word’s word count?

It is very accurate for counting words, characters, paragraphs, and pages.

Microsoft Word uses standard rules for counting words, so it should match up with other word processors and the expectations of publishers or professors.

Does Word Count include footnotes and endnotes?

By default, it does not, but you can choose to include them.

In the word count box, there’s a checkbox that allows you to include text in footnotes and endnotes in the total word count.

Summary

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Click on the "Review" tab.
3. Click on "Word Count".
4. Check your word count in the pop-up box.

Conclusion

Displaying the word count in Word is a simple task that can be done in just a few clicks. It’s an invaluable tool for writers of all kinds, ensuring that you can keep track of your document’s length and stay within any given limits. Plus, with additional options like including text in footnotes and excluding textboxes, you have control over what is counted. Remember to keep an eye on the word count as you write—going significantly over or under a word limit can be problematic. So, next time you’re knee-deep in writing, don’t forget to check your word count to ensure you’re on track. Happy writing!