Frequently asked questions - Writer

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My document begins with a title page and a home page. How do I make the total number of pages to match only the written pages?

When a document has many pages, there may be title pages or home pages that you don’t want to be numbered.

The FAQ n°002 explains how to begin the numbering only on the 2^nd or 3^rd page and FAQ n°104 explains how to begin the numbering on the first page with a value greater than 1. But, in these cases the count of pages displayed by Insert ▸ Field ▸ Page count remains the total page count for the document, including the title page and the home page.

To display the count for written pages only

Proceed as follows:

1. select Insert ▸ Field ▸ More Fields... ▸ Variables [tab] (Ctrl + F2);
2. for the field Type, chose Insert Formula;
3. in the Formula area enter: page-2, or page+3 as required; and
4. click Insert then Close.

This method allows you to display the count of written pages for a simple document.

To display page counts for each part of document

These parts could be for example: results, discussion, annexes, etc. The method is to create a bookmark at the end of each part of the document. With the help of bookmarks, you can retrieve:

• the page or the chapter where they are,
• the text where they have been entered, or
• their relative location in the document (before or after the current location).

Of course, the relevant information here is the page where they are.

1. click at the end of the part;
2. select Insert ▸ Bookmark...;
3. give it a name, for example EndDoc;
4. click where you want to insert the count of pages (header, footer, etc.);
5. select Insert ▸ Field ▸ More Fields... ▸ Cross-references [tab] (Ctrl + F2);
6. in the Type choose Bookmarks ;
7. select the bookmark you have previously created and the Page format;
8. click Insert then Close.

Repeat this process for each part.

Going further

The Bookmarks are "fragile" insofar:

• they are not displayed (neither as marks nor as non-printing characters); and
• they can be deleted or moved with the last paragraph.

It is possible to protect against this problem by inserting the bookmark in a protected and hidden section:

1. place the cursor at the end of a part, on the bookmark:
   • open the Navigator by double-clicking on its name;
   • right-click in the status bar on the area where page numbering is displayed, a dropdown list will display the bookmark names and you can reach one by clicking on its name in that list;
2. select Insert ▸ Section ▸ Section [tab];
3. name it if you wish (useful for the Navigator for example);
4. check ☑ Protect under Write Protection (you can even add a password);
5. check ☑ Hide under Hide;
6. click Insert.

Repeat this process for each bookmark.

An alternative to the use of sections is to put bookmarks in text frames which can also be protected (but do not support passwords).