How to insert a page number in Microsoft Excel

Updated: 09/03/2019 by Computer Hope
Microsoft Excel

When working with spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel, it may be helpful to include page numbers, especially if the spreadsheet is many pages long. You can insert a page number in either the header or footer of a spreadsheet, depending on your preference.

To insert page numbers in your spreadsheet, view them, or edit previously-added page number details, select a link below and follow the instructions.

Insert a page number

  1. In the Excel spreadsheet, click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
  2. In the Text section, click the Header & Footer option.
  3. The spreadsheet changes to the Page Layout view if it hasn't already. The text cursor is placed in the header by default. To insert a page number in the footer, press Esc, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click in the Add footer area.

Add footer in Microsoft Excel

  1. In the Ribbon, if not already selected, click the Header & Footer tab.
  2. With the text cursor in the header or footer, click the Page Number option in the Header & Footer Elements section on the Ribbon. The &[Page] text is added to the header or footer, which is the Excel function for the page number.

Add page number in Microsoft Excel

  1. To display the total number of pages after the page number, add a space after &[Page], type the word of, add another space, then click the Number of Pages option in the Ribbon. The &[Pages] text is added and is the Excel function for displaying the total number of pages in the spreadsheet.

Add total pages in Microsoft Excel.

  1. Input any additional text to the header or footer, as desired. For example, you could add Page in front of the page number, resulting in a display of "Page 1 of 4."

View page numbers

  1. In the Excel Ribbon, click the View tab.
  2. In the Workbook Views section, click the Page Layout option.
  3. The page numbers are only displayed in the Page Layout view.

Edit page number details

  1. In the Excel Ribbon, click the View tab.
  2. In the Workbook Views section, click the Page Layout option.
  3. Click in the header or footer, depending on where the page number details are set. Enter or change the text, as desired.