Add or remove line numbers

Word can automatically count the lines in a document and display the appropriate number next to each line of text. This is useful if you have to refer to specific lines in a document, such as a script or legal contract. By default, Word numbers every line in a document (except those in tables, footnotes, endnotes, text boxes, frames, and headers and footers). However, you can choose which line numbers to display. For example, you can include line numbers in all or part of the document. You can also include line numbers at intervals, such as every tenth line (10, 20, 30, and so on). If you do not want Word to count specific lines, such as a heading or a blank line, you can skip line numbers for these items and continue numbering the following lines.

Do any of the following:

Add line numbers to a whole document

Add line numbers to a specific part of a document

Add line numbers to sections in a document

Remove line numbers from a document that has sections

Remove line numbers from a document without sections