How to Format Page Numbers Differently in Word (Roman and Arabic)
Imagine this: You’ve spent months perfecting your thesis proposal. Your research is solid, your arguments are compelling, and your supervisor has given you the green light. Then you get hit with the formatting requirements—Roman numerals for preliminary pages, Arabic numbers for the main body. Suddenly, a simple task feels overwhelming.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Thousands of Kenyan students struggle with this exact challenge every semester. At Proposal Writers Kenya, we’ve helped countless students navigate these formatting hurdles. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to format page numbers differently in Word—step by step, with screenshots and practical tips.
Why Do Kenyan Universities Require Different Page Number Formats?
Before we dive into the technical steps, let’s understand why this matters. Most Kenyan universities follow a standard thesis format:
| Section | Page Number Format |
|---|---|
| Title Page | No number displayed (but often counted as page i) |
| Declaration, Dedication, Acknowledgments | Roman numerals (i, ii, iii…) |
| Abstract, Table of Contents, List of Figures/Tables | Roman numerals (continued) |
| Main Body (Chapter 1 onward) | Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…) |
Universities like the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, and JKUAT all expect this format. The purpose is simple: it distinguishes the preliminary content from the actual research content, making the document more professional and easier to navigate.
The Challenge: Why Word Makes This Difficult
By default, Microsoft Word applies continuous page numbering across your entire document. If you insert a page number on page 1, it will number every subsequent page sequentially. This is fine for simple documents but completely inadequate for academic work.
To format page numbers differently, you need to:
Divide your document into sections using section breaks
Unlink headers and footers between sections
Format each section’s page numbers independently
It sounds complicated, but once you understand the logic, it becomes second nature. Let’s walk through it together.
Step 1: Insert Section Breaks
The golden rule of formatting different page numbers is this: you cannot have different numbering without section breaks. Section breaks divide your document into independent sections, each with its own formatting rules.
How to insert a section break:
Place your cursor at the end of your title page (or after all preliminary pages)
Go to the Layout tab on the ribbon
Click Breaks
Under Section Breaks, select Next Page
Pro-tip: You’ll also need a section break between your preliminary pages and Chapter 1. Some students even insert section breaks between chapters for more control.
Step 2: Unlink Section Headers and Footers
By default, headers and footers are linked across sections. This means changes in one section affect all sections. You need to break this link.
How to unlink:
Double-click the footer area in the new section (or header, depending on where you want page numbers)
In the Header & Footer tab, look for Link to Previous
Click it to turn it off (it should no longer be highlighted)
Pro-tip: Repeat this for the main body section as well. Each section should be independent.
Step 3: Insert and Format Page Numbers for Preliminary Pages
Now we’re ready to add the Roman numerals.
How to insert Roman numerals:
Navigate to the first preliminary page (after the title page)
Double-click the footer area
Click Page Number → Bottom of Page → Choose a style (e.g., Plain Number 2)
With the page number selected, go to Page Number → Format Page Numbers
Under Number format, select i, ii, iii… (Roman numerals)
Under Page numbering, select Start at: and type i
For the title page (no number):
Double-click the footer on the title page
In the Header & Footer tab, check Different First Page
This removes the number from the title page
Important: Check your university’s guidelines. Some universities count the title page as page i (but don’t display it). Others start numbering from the abstract. Adjust accordingly.
Step 4: Insert and Format Page Numbers for the Main Body
Now we switch to Arabic numerals.
How to switch to Arabic numerals:
Navigate to the first page of Chapter 1 (your main body)
Double-click the footer area
Ensure Link to Previous is turned off
Click Page Number → Bottom of Page → Choose a style
Click Page Number → Format Page Numbers
Under Number format, select 1, 2, 3… (Arabic numerals)
Under Page numbering, select Start at: and type 1
Result: Your main body now starts at page 1, completely independent of your preliminary pages.
Step 5: Update Your Table of Contents
After formatting your page numbers, your Table of Contents may show incorrect page numbers. This is because Word’s TOC fields don’t automatically update.
How to update:
Click anywhere in your Table of Contents
Go to References tab → Update Table
Select Update entire table
Your TOC will now display “i, ii, iii…” for preliminary pages and “1, 2, 3…” for the main body
Visual Flowchart Summary
| Page Range | Section Type | Number Format | Start At | Unlink Header/Footer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Page | Section 1 | None | N/A | N/A |
| Preliminary Pages | Section 1 | Roman (i, ii, iii) | i | N/A |
| Main Body | Section 2 | Arabic (1, 2, 3) | 1 | Yes |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Page numbers are the same across all pages | Headers/footers still linked | Unlink each section’s header/footer from previous |
| Main body starts at i instead of 1 | Forgot to change number format | Go to Format Page Numbers and change from Roman to Arabic |
| Main body starts at 3 instead of 1 | Forgot to set start at 1 | In Format Page Numbers, set Start at to 1 |
| Title page has a number showing | Did not use Different First Page | Check Different First Page in Header & Footer tab |
Conclusion
Formatting your thesis proposal shouldn’t be a source of stress. Whether you need help with page numbering, APA/MLA formatting, or the entire writing process, Proposal Writers Kenya is here to support you.
Our team of experienced academic writers understands Kenyan university requirements inside out. From the University of Nairobi to Kenyatta University, Moi University to JKUAT—we’ve helped countless students submit polished, professionally formatted proposals that impress supervisors.
Ready to get started?
[Contact us today for a free quote] —and let us handle the formatting so you can focus on what really matters: your research.