# How to add page numbers in Pages on Mac: step by step for Pages 15.4

> Learn how to add page numbers in Pages on Mac with header, footer, and body text steps, plus fixes for missing fields in Pages 15.4.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/add-page-numbers-in-pages
Updated: 2026-11-07

Add page numbers in Pages on Mac from the header or footer by moving the pointer to the top or bottom of the page. Click a field, choose Insert Page Number and pick a style, or use Insert > Page Number in the toolbar for a number in the body text.

## Quick answer

- Put page numbers in a header or footer. Move the pointer to the top or bottom of the page until three fields appear, then click one.
- Click Insert Page Number and choose a style. For a number in the body text, use Insert > Page Number in the toolbar.
- To change the start number in a word-processing document, use Document > Section > Page Numbering.
- Apple's Mac guide covers Pages 15.4, which requires macOS 26 or later. Check your version under Pages > About Pages.
- Apple's guide lists no keyboard shortcut for page numbers. Press ⌘Z to undo a mistake.

Applies to: Pages 15.4 on macOS 26 or later, and Pages for iCloud in a browser. Time: 5 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- Pages 15.4 or later, which requires macOS 26 or later
- Your document open in Pages, with the toolbar visible
- A browser and icloud.com/pages for Pages for iCloud

## How to Add page numbers in Pages on Mac in Pages on a Mac

1. **Check your Pages version.** (Pages > About Pages) Open Pages and choose Pages > About Pages. Note the version number. Apple's Mac guide covers Pages 15.4, which requires macOS 26 or later. Tip: If you run an older version, check each step against the menus you actually see.
2. **Show the header and footer fields.** (Document > Document tab > Header and Footer) If you don't see any fields, click Document in the toolbar, open the Document tab, and tick Header, Footer, or both. Tip: Turn on Footer for most documents, since the page number usually sits at the bottom.
3. **Open a header or footer field.** Move the pointer to the top or bottom of the page until three header or footer fields appear. Click one of the fields. Tip: Click the field you want first. Text you type there stays in that field.
4. **Insert the page number in the header or footer.** (Insert Page Number) With a field active, click Insert Page Number and choose a numbering style from the list. The number appears in the field you clicked and updates on every page.
5. **Put a number in the body text instead.** (Insert > Page Number) Place the insertion point where the number should go. If the number belongs in a shape, text box, or table cell, double-click inside that object first. Then click Insert in the toolbar and choose Page Number. Tip: Never type the number by hand. A typed number does not update when pages move.
6. **Change the start number or numbering style.** (Document > Section > Page Numbering) In a word-processing document, click Document in the toolbar, open the Section tab, and choose Page Numbering. Pick a style or enter a start number, then check the next section.
7. **Use Format for page-layout documents.** (Format > Page Numbering) In a page-layout document, click an empty corner of the page so nothing is selected. Click Format and use Page Numbering to change the style or start number. Tip: If Format is dimmed, clear the selection and try again.
8. **Use Pages for iCloud in a browser.** (Insert > Page Number) Open icloud.com/pages in a browser. Click Insert in the toolbar, then choose Page Number. For a page X of Y format, add Page Count from the same menu.
9. **Check the first and last pages.** Scroll to the first page, the last page, and a page where a section starts. Confirm the numbers appear where you expect and do not repeat by accident.

## Before you start: check your Pages version

Open Pages and choose Pages > About Pages to see the version number. Apple's Mac guide for page numbers covers Pages 15.4, so the steps here match that release. If your version is older, some buttons may sit in other places, so check the layout before you follow each step.

Pages 15.4 requires macOS 26 or later. Apple's what's-new page also lists a template collection for Creator Studio subscribers and Siri questions for all users. Creating, viewing, and editing need no subscription, according to Apple.

Pages 15.1 became part of Apple Creator Studio, and new features arrive in that edition. MacRumors reports the subscription costs $12.99 a month or $129 a year in the U.S. Premium templates, Content Hub, and iCloud collaboration files up to 4GB need a subscription.

> **Check the version first:** Your version decides which menus match this guide. Note the number from the About window before you search for a fix, so the steps you find match your copy of Pages.

## Put page numbers in the header or footer

Headers sit at the top of each page. Footers sit at the bottom. Most reports, essays, and letters put the page number in the footer, so start there unless your style guide says otherwise.

To open the header or footer, move the pointer to the top or bottom of the page. Keep it there until three header or footer fields appear. Then click one of the fields.

![Person at a Mac working on a document where they add page numbers in Pages on Mac](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/add-page-numbers-in-pages/how-to-add-page-numbers-in-pages-1-2b722c.jpg)

Click Insert Page Number and choose a numbering style from the list. Pages puts the number in the field you clicked. The number updates on every page, so you never type it by hand.

> **Fields expand to fit:** Fields expand to fit text unless they already hold text or a number. Put a title in the header and the page number in the footer, so each one keeps its own space.

If you add or remove pages later, the number stays in its field. Its value changes as the page order changes. That is the behavior you want in a long document that keeps getting edited.

## Put a page number in the body text

Some layouts need the number somewhere other than the header or footer. A worksheet may need a page line in the middle of the page. A form may need a number inside a box. For those, skip the header and footer and use the body text path.

Place the insertion point where the number should go. If the number belongs in a shape, text box, or table cell, double-click inside that object first. Then click Insert in the toolbar and choose Page Number.

![Man typing on a MacBook while he formats a long report in Pages on Mac](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/add-page-numbers-in-pages/how-to-add-page-numbers-in-pages-2-b21a2a.jpg)

Typing the number by hand is the most common mistake here. A typed number stays put after you add or move pages. The Page Number field updates each time the page order changes.

> **Don't type the number:** A typed number does not update. Insert the Page Number field every time, then check the next page to confirm it changed.

## Start numbering at a different page

Some documents start with pages that should not count, such as a cover page or a contents page. In a word-processing document, you can change where the count starts. Click Document in the toolbar, open the Section tab, and choose Page Numbering.

From that panel, pick a numbering style or enter a start number. The change applies to the section you are working in. Check each section after you change it, so no page is numbered by accident.

A thesis or a long report usually has front matter, such as a title page, followed by a body that should start its own count. Put the front matter and the body in different sections. Then set the start number in the body section.

## Skip the number on the first page

Apple's Mac guide does not cover skipping the first page of a document. The closest documented option is a setting in the Section tab called Hide on first page of section. Tick it when you want the first page of a section to show no header or footer.

Clear the same box if your header or footer fields go missing. Apple's troubleshooting notes say that in word-processing documents, clearing it brings the fields back. Check the result on screen before you print.

> **Check page one on screen:** Scroll to the top of the first page, then the second page. The number should appear where you expect and stay off the page you hid.

## Add 'page X of Y' numbers in Pages

Many formal documents show a page count beside the page number, such as 2 of 8. Apple's steps for this format are written for Pages for iCloud, the browser version. Test the result in the Mac app before you rely on it.

1. Click Insert in the toolbar, then choose Page Number.
2. Type the word of with a space before and after it.
3. Click Insert in the toolbar again, then choose Page Count.

The page count stays accurate when you add or delete pages. You will see the total update as the document changes length.

## Pages for iCloud in a browser

Pages for iCloud runs at icloud.com/pages. The page number tools live in the toolbar. Click Insert, then choose Page Number or Page Count. Apple's guide describes those two options for this task.

Word-processing numbering options sit in the Document sidebar, on the Section tab. Page-layout options sit in the Format sidebar. Apple's guide names no browser version, so it does not say which browsers work best.

## Page layout documents use Format instead

Pages has two document styles in Apple's guide, word processing and page layout. Page layout documents let you place objects anywhere on the page. For those, the numbering panel sits under Format.

Click an empty corner of the page so nothing is selected. Then click Format and use Page Numbering. If the Format button is dimmed, the format cannot apply to what you selected, so clear the selection and try again.

## Fix missing options and grayed-out buttons

| What you see | What to try |
| --- | --- |
| No header or footer fields | Click Document in the toolbar, open the Document tab, and tick Header and Footer. |
| Insert Page Number is missing from the field menu | That item shows only when no page numbers exist elsewhere. Use Insert > Page Number in the toolbar. |
| Format button is dimmed | The format cannot apply to your selection. Select something else, or click the page background. |
| Page Numbering options are missing | Click the empty page background and zoom out. One Apple Community reply suggested this. |
| Header text has disappeared | Press ⌘Z to undo. Ticking the Header box again does not bring deleted text back. |

_Common Pages problems with page numbers and what to try_

The Apple Community thread on this problem dates from 2023. The poster found the page-number option grayed out with no footer. The top reply suggested ticking Header or Footer, using Insert > Page Number, and zooming out to click the gray background. The thread closed without a confirmed fix, so treat it as one user's report.

> **Undo before you retype:** If you untick Header or Footer, the text in that area disappears on every page. Ticking the box again does not bring it back. Press ⌘Z right away.

## Keyboard shortcuts for page numbers

Apple's guide does not list a keyboard shortcut for page numbers. You use the toolbar, the header and footer fields, and the sidebars for each step. The one shortcut that matters here is ⌘Z, which undoes your last change.

Learn the menu paths in this guide instead of hunting for a shortcut that does not exist. Write the path on a sticky note if you switch between Pages and Pages for iCloud often.

## Common mistakes people make

- Typing the number by hand. Typed numbers do not change after you add or move pages.
- Putting the number in the header of a document that needs it at the bottom.
- Adding a number to a text box without double-clicking inside it first, so the number lands in the wrong place.
- Changing the start number in one section and forgetting the other sections.
- Turning off Header or Footer to fix one page, which removes that area on every page.

## What to check after you add page numbers

Scroll through the whole document once. Check the first page, the last page, and any page where a section starts. Look for numbers in the wrong place or a number that repeats by accident.

Next, read the text in the header and footer. A long title in the header can squeeze a number out of place when the field has no room. The note on fields expanding explains why.

![Laptop on an office desk beside a printed document, ready to check page numbers](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/add-page-numbers-in-pages/how-to-add-page-numbers-in-pages-3-6332f5.jpg)

If your document also needs footnotes restarted by chapter, read [how to restart footnote numbering in Pages on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/for/writers/problems/pages-footnote-numbering-restart-sections). That guide covers footnote numbers, which this page does not.

If you switch between Pages and Google Docs, read [how to add page numbers in Google Docs on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/add-page-numbers-in-google-docs). The steps differ, so do not copy them across.

## Shortcuts

- Undo the last change: ⌘Z

## If it does not work

- **Header and footer fields are missing** Click Document in the toolbar, open the Document tab, and tick Header and Footer. In a word-processing document, open the Section tab and clear Hide on first page of section if fields still don't appear.
- **Insert Page Number is missing from the field menu** That item shows only when no page numbers exist elsewhere in the document. Use Insert > Page Number in the toolbar instead.
- **Format button is dimmed** The format cannot apply to what you selected. Clear the selection by clicking the page background, then try again.
- **Page Numbering options are missing** Click the empty page background and zoom out. One Apple Community reply suggested this, and the thread did not confirm it as a fix.
- **Header text disappeared after I unticked Header** Press ⌘Z right away. Ticking the box again does not restore deleted text.
- **The number pushes the header text out of place** Fields expand to fit text unless they already contain text or a number. Put the title in the header and the page number in the footer.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where's the Insert button in Pages?”: Lazur draws a circle and a label around the Insert button in the Pages toolbar, then names the Page Number item. (Points at it)

## FAQ

### Is there a keyboard shortcut to add page numbers in Pages on Mac?

Apple's Pages guide does not list one. Use the header or footer fields, or Insert > Page Number in the toolbar. If you make a mistake, press ⌘Z to undo it.

### Why don't I see header and footer fields in Pages?

Headers and footers may be turned off. Click Document in the toolbar, open the Document tab, and tick Header and Footer. In a word-processing document, if fields are still missing, open the Section tab and clear Hide on first page of section.

### Why is Insert Page Number missing from the menu?

That item appears only when no page numbers exist elsewhere in the document. Use Insert > Page Number in the toolbar instead, which places the number where your insertion point is.

### How do I start page numbers at a different page?

In a word-processing document, click Document in the toolbar, open the Section tab, and choose Page Numbering. Enter a start number there. Check each section afterward, because the change applies to the section you are working in.

### How do I leave the number off the first page?

Try the Hide on first page of section setting in the Section tab. It is the closest documented option, but Apple's Mac guide does not cover it for page numbers. Check the first page on screen before you print.

### Can I show 'page 2 of 8' style numbers in Pages?

Apple documents this format for Pages for iCloud. Insert Page Number, type of with a space on each side, click Insert again, then choose Page Count. Test the result in the Mac app before you rely on it.

### Which version of Pages do I need for these steps?

Apple's Mac guide covers Pages 15.4, which requires macOS 26 or later. Check your version under Pages > About Pages. Pages 15.1 became part of Apple Creator Studio.

### Does this work the same in Pages for iCloud?

The names are similar, but the layout differs. In Pages for iCloud at icloud.com/pages, the page tools sit in the toolbar, and numbering options sit in the Document sidebar. Apple's guide names no browser version.

## Sources

1. [Add page numbers in Pages on Mac - Apple Support Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/add-page-numbers-tan5387422b5/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-07
2. [Pages User Guide for Mac - Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/welcome/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-07
3. [Add and remove headers and footers in Pages on Mac - Apple Support Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/headers-and-footers-tan7248753e/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-07
4. [Add headers, footers, and page numbers in Pages for iCloud - Apple Support Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/pages-icloud/add-headers-footers-and-page-numbers-gil384873b07/icloud), Apple, checked 2026-11-07
5. [What's new in Pages on Mac - Apple Support Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/whats-new-tan700f60676/mac), Apple, checked 2026-11-07
6. [Cannot add page numbers on Pages for iCloud - Apple Community](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255092939), Apple Community, checked 2026-11-07
7. [Apple Updates Keynote, Numbers, and Pages Apps With New Free and Paid Features](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/28/apple-updates-keynote-numbers-pages/), MacRumors, checked 2026-11-07