Google Docs lets you control where page numbers appear, whether the first page is numbered, and which number a section starts with. The document must use Pages format; page numbering is not available the same way in Pageless format.
How to Add Custom Page Numbers in Google Docs
- Open the document in Google Docs.
- Choose Insert > Page elements > Page number.
- Select More options if you need more than the standard page-number layouts.
- Choose where the number should appear and which part of the document the setting should apply to.
- Set the starting number when that option is available for the selected section.
- Select Apply.
Start Numbering on a Later Page
If the title page should not be part of the main numbering sequence, place a section break before the page where the new sequence should begin. Then open the page-number options for that section and apply the numbering change there.
Section breaks are important when different parts of the same document need different headers, footers, or numbering. A normal page break moves content to another page but does not create the same independent section controls.
Remove the Number From the First Page
For documents such as reports and school papers, you may want the first page to have no visible page number. Use the page-number layout or header/footer options that treat the first page differently. Check the document after making the change to make sure the second page has the number you expect.
If Page Number Options Are Missing
Check whether the document is using Pageless format. Google’s current page-number feature requires Pages format. Switch the document back to Pages if you need conventional page numbers, headers, or footers.
After inserting page numbers, double-click the header or footer to adjust alignment or surrounding text. Avoid replacing the automatic page-number field with a typed number, because a typed number will repeat rather than update from page to page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.