How to Insert Page Numbers: APA 7th Edition Guidelines

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 02:56 am

There are straightforward guidelines for inserting page numbers according to APA 7th edition guidelines. To start with, here are the basics:

• The numbers should be put in a header at the top right of the page.
• They should be the same font and size as the rest of your paper.
• Number the first page, with a 1. Thereafter, each of the subsequent pages will be numbered automatically.
• Do not write “page” or “p.” or “pp.”

Here are step-by-step instructions for inserting APA page numbers, with screenshots to guide your way.

Inserting Numeral Page Numbers

Step 1: Open the “Header & Footer” tab in the header, click on Insert and select “Page Number.”

Step 2: If you want to have a different first page and do not want number 1 to appear on this page, then click on “Different First Page.”

Step 3: From the drop-down list, choose “Top of Page.” Next, choose “Plain Number 3.”

Step 4: Click on “Close Header and Footer” in the ribbon.

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

A game-changing training tailored to give you a clear path to gaining your committee’s approval to graduate.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

Over 300+ Students Coached • 40+ Years of Experience • 90% Success Rate

Inserting Roman Numeral Page Numbers

If you need to paginate front matter material, such as an abstract, acknowledgments, or table of contents, the process is a little different.

Step 1: Insert a section break between the front material and Chapter 1.

Step 2: In the “Layout” tab, click on the drop-down arrow beside “Breaks.”

Step 3: Click on “Next Page” in “Section Breaks.”

Step 4: Repeats steps 1 or 2 above. In the drop-down list, open “Format Page Numbers.”

Step 5: Select “Roman” in the “Page Number Format” part of the drop-down list.

Step 6: On the first page of Chapter 1, repeat the above process. This is when you begin to start numbering the pages of your Chapter 1 using numerals 1, 2, 3, etc. To paginate Chapter 1 as page 1, choose “Start at,” and then put in the number 1.

Note: For more information, refer to Section 2.18 of the APA Publication Manual, Seventh Edition.

For help with APA style and much more, check out our Dissertation Editing Services or book a free consultation.