Why Page Numbers and Running Headers Matter in Print Books
If you've spent months writing and editing your manuscript, the last thing you want is for readers to open your book and see blank pages with no way to track where they are. Page numbers and running headers aren't just decorative—they're professional essentials that make your book feel polished and help readers navigate your content.
Running headers (also called running heads) typically display your book title, author name, or chapter title at the top of each page. Page numbers go at the bottom or top, depending on your design. Together, they create a sense of structure and professionalism that self-published books often lack when authors skip this step.
The good news: adding page numbers and running headers to your self-published book is straightforward once you understand the mechanics. Let's walk through how to do it properly in Word, and then how tools like DocToPrint can automate the process when you're ready to generate your print-ready PDF.
How to Add Page Numbers in Microsoft Word
Start with page numbers—they're the simpler element. Here's the process:
Step 1: Open the Header and Footer Area
Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon and click Page Number. A dropdown menu will appear with placement options: Top of Page, Bottom of Page, Page Margins, or Current Position.
For most self-published books, Bottom of Page (centered or right-aligned) is standard. Choose that option.
Step 2: Choose Your Style
Word will show you several page number styles—plain numbers, numbers in brackets, numbers with decorative elements, and so on. Pick one that matches your book's tone. A literary novel might use a simple centered number; a workbook might use a boxed number.
Step 3: Set Different First Page (Optional but Recommended)
Most professionally printed books don't show a page number on the first page of each chapter or the title page. To do this:
- Double-click the header/footer area to open it for editing
- Go to Design (under Header & Footer Tools)
- Check the box for Different First Page
- The first page of your document (and each section) will now have a blank header/footer
Step 4: Exclude Page Numbers from Front Matter
Your title page, copyright page, and table of contents shouldn't have page numbers. To do this, insert a section break before your introduction or Chapter 1, then disable page numbers in the front matter section.
Click at the start of your introduction, go to Layout > Breaks > Section Break (Next Page). Then double-click the footer in the front matter section and unlink it from the rest of the document by clicking Link to Previous to toggle it off. Delete the page number from that section.
How to Add Running Headers in Word
Running headers are slightly more involved but follow a similar logic:
Step 1: Open the Header Area
Double-click at the top of any page (in the margin area) to open the header for editing.
Step 2: Insert Your Running Header Text
You have a few options:
- Static text: Type your book title or author name directly. This will appear on every page in that section.
- Dynamic chapter titles: Use Word's field codes to pull chapter headings automatically. Go to Insert > Field > StyleRef and select the style you use for chapter headings (usually Heading 1). Now the running header will display whatever your current chapter title is.
- Combination: Type your book title on left-hand pages (verso) and the chapter title on right-hand pages (recto). This is professional and helps readers navigate.
Step 3: Create Different Headers for Left and Right Pages (Optional)
For a truly professional look, you can have different headers on left and right pages. Go to Design > Different Odd & Even Pages. Now you can set up one header for odd pages (right-hand pages) and a different one for even pages (left-hand pages).
Step 4: Format Your Header
Make sure your running header font matches your body text or is slightly smaller. Most books use the same font as the body, 10–11pt, in regular weight (not bold). Italics are common for running headers if you want them to stand out subtly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Inconsistent formatting across sections: If you have multiple section breaks, make sure headers and page numbers are consistent unless you intentionally want them to differ.
Running headers that are too long: Keep them to one or two lines. If your chapter title is very long, abbreviate it in the running header.
Forgetting to exclude front matter: It looks unprofessional to have page numbers on your title page or copyright page. Always use section breaks to disable them.
Misaligned page numbers: If you're using outer margins (page numbers on the outside of left and right pages), make sure they're aligned consistently. This is especially important if your book will be printed and bound.
How DocToPrint Simplifies Page Numbers and Running Headers
If you've set up page numbers and running headers in Word correctly, you're in good shape. But if you want to adjust them as you move toward print, or if you want to see exactly how they'll look in your final PDF, DocToPrint lets you choose your page number style and running header preferences directly in the formatting interface.
When you upload your manuscript and select your trim size and fonts, DocToPrint also gives you options for:
- Page number placement (top, bottom, left, right, centered)
- Running header style and content
- Whether to include page numbers on the first page of chapters
You can generate a free watermarked preview to see exactly how your page numbers and running headers will appear in the final print PDF before you purchase. This is especially helpful if you want to test a few different placements without manually tweaking your Word file multiple times.
Final Checklist Before Print
Before you finalize your manuscript for printing, run through this checklist:
- ☐ Page numbers appear on all content pages (but not on title page, copyright page, or chapter openers if you prefer)
- ☐ Running headers are consistent and match your book's style
- ☐ Page numbers and running headers don't overlap with body text or margins
- ☐ Headers and footers are formatted in a readable font size (10–11pt)
- ☐ Section breaks are in place to separate front matter from main content
- ☐ If using different odd/even pages, left and right pages are formatted correctly
- ☐ You've generated a preview PDF to check alignment and appearance
Wrapping Up: Professional Page Numbers and Running Headers Are Non-Negotiable
Adding page numbers and running headers to your self-published book is one of the quickest ways to make it look professionally produced. Readers expect them, bookstores and print-on-demand services appreciate them, and they genuinely improve the reading experience.
Whether you're formatting manually in Word or using a tool to automate the process, the key is consistency. Test your layout in a preview before sending to print, and don't skip the front matter exclusions—they matter more than you might think. With page numbers and running headers properly in place, your book will look like it came from a traditional publisher.
