Pages not automatically numbering in ms 2007

[lou99]

I have spent weeks trying to number an almost 200 page thesis, to no avail. I have the first several pages with roman numerals and the the rest should be in arabic. At first I thought it might be because of the page break I inserted to change the numbering of the second section. But I just did a "dummy" document, and the only page that is numbering is number 1. None of the others. (I checked in print preview--there are no other numbers there.) This, like so many 2007 things is driving me INSANE. I have wasted more than 40 hours on this, and the idea of manually numbering a 200 page document is not good. PLEASE can someone tell me why it is not automatically numbering? (I have made other numbered documents prior to this. It just started with this particular one.) And now, even the first page, thanks to someone else's sugggestion says {pagemergeformat} instead of 1! I have word 2007, and it says "compatibility mode" even though this is the only program I have ever had on this Toshiba. (had xp on another computer).

 

[Irene]

Hopefully, these two links will help:
Use Word 2007 to open documents created in previous versions of Word - Word - Office.com

How to number chapters, appendixes, and pages in documents that contain both chapter and appendix headings in Word

Please let us know how you get on.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

In addition to Irene's excellent help, how are you saving the document? You'll be notified it's in compatibility mode if the document was originally saved in an earlier version of Word.

Click the Office button and choose Save As, and then choose Word Document, which will save it in Office 2007 format whilst keeping a copy in its original format.

You should then get full Office 2007 functionality including page numbering format.

 

[Imperfect1]

Also take a look at these tutorials:

Number pages differently in different sections
Insert or delete a section break - Word - Microsoft Office

 

[GEWB]

I relpied to a similar post a while back. Take a look at this thread and see if it helps:

http://www.sevenforums.com/microsoft-office/175194-footer-problem-word-2007-a.html

Regards,
GEWB

 

[lou99]

oh no---more problems

well, I was just about to try some of your suggestions---and now I can't open the doc---or any doc. I was just editing it last night, and yet today every doc I try to open brings up a window that has "user account control" on top and then says"do you wantto allow the following program to make changes?" First it tells me there is nopreview available and then it says there was a problem sending command. I cannot open any of my documents. I have spent over two years on this thesis and it is due next month. I have a ton of corrections to make, and I am stymied constantly by windows 7 problems that I never had in xp. Having a meltdown here...any suggestions on how I get into my docs so I can try the OTHER suggestions?

 

[lou99]

Me again. Found out I can open docs if I go into windows 7 first instead of the shortcuts---will deal with that annoyance later. I didn't try Irene's because it said it would change layout and I have months of painstaking worth with indented lists (which also had to be done manually). I tried the suggestion of seavixen, saving it as word doc. still won't number. Imperfect one--yes, thank you, I am aware of the whole secition break thing. Not the problem, but I appreciate your post. Thank you all so much for suggestions. Still stumped. Will try Irene's if nothing else works. Sigh.

 

[lou99]

Irene---tried the "convert"---still no page numbers after the first

 

[Imperfect1]

2 suggestions: First, before you either get yourself in serious trouble or have a heart attack, make some backup copies on an external disk so you never again have to worry about not being able to access the document!

Then, try GEWB's suggestion: FOOTER PROBLEM in Word 2007 I thought it was brilliant and it solved the original poster's problem, which as I remember, was pretty much the same as yours.

 

[lou99]

Yes, I already made a backup. And yes, I am aware of the whole page break and the need for sections. That is not the problem. The problem is that the number is only appearing on one page, and not the rest of them. But thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

[Irene]

This MS guide might help:
Add and format page numbers - Word - Office.com

 

[lou99]

Thanks---everything I have already tried....

 

[seavixen32]

Here are a couple of links that may help you:

Numbering

How to number chapters, appendixes, and pages in documents that contain both chapter and appendix headings in Word

 

[lou99]

Thanks---but just more of the same on page breaks and sections...

 

[Imperfect1]

Lou, there is a totally different way you can approach this. Up until now, you have been trying to make numerous footer/numbering/etc. changes to the document you have already created --- and it hasn't worked. The template of this document has had so many changes that it is probably now corrupted beyond repair.

So, perhaps there is a way to approach the problem from a completely different angle: In a totally separate, brand new (empty) Word document, why not create a brand new custom template, one that handles the footer/numbering/etc. exactly as you need. Then, and only then, copy and paste each of the sections of the text of your thesis, one at a time, into the corresponding section of your new template that is numbered the way each section needs to be numbered.

 

[seavixen32]

^^^^^^ +1 Makes a lot of sense so it's got to be worth a try.

 

[GEWB]

lou99-

If you would like me to work on your file, send me a PM and I'll send you my email address. I can start on it 6:00 AM Mountain Time.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[Irene]

I wonder if you have a corrupted "BuildingBlocks.dotx" file?

After making a backup, you could try the procedure in the following link:
Cant add page numbers, headers or footers to a word 2007 document

1. Close any office program that may left open.

2. Open the folder "C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Document Building Blocks\1033"

3. Delete the "BuildingBlocks.dotx" file.

4. Open Word and close it.

5. Wait a few seconds.

6. Open a new blank page, and try to add page numbers, headers or footers.

7. Optional: Open the folder "C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Document Building Blocks\1033"

Verity that a new "BuildingBlocks.dotx" file, was created.

 

[katrina2011]

You're problem is that you got a corrupted ms 2007, because i try to number most of my work using just the procedure given by ms, try to install ms office again, or either way try to scan your file from virus

 

[GEWB]

Hello lou99 -

Got most of your issues identified; still working on explaining what may have happened and how to remedy the numbering issue. Was able to create a condition that presented the same numbering result you gave but I need to do it from scratch and document everything...problem is, I played with a lot of steps and I need to find that key step again!

Regarding the {pagemergeformat} issue, that is just a toggle switch (show field code or hide field code). Double click on the code to select and enter the footer, then right-click and select Toggle Field Codes - the numbers are back instead of the code.

The "compatibility mode" isn't really an issue as it just means it was opened/saved in Office 97 - 2003 file format (the "standard" Word.doc format). You can leave it and not worry, especially if you have a lot of in-line formatting (instead of using Word styles) - at this late stage there is no reason to introduce more variables.

Regards,
GEWB