About line numbers

Microsoft Word can automatically count the lines in a document and display the appropriate number beside each line of text. This is useful if you need to refer to specific lines in a document, such as a script or legal contract.

By default, Word numbers every line in a document. However, you can choose which line numbers to display. For example, include line numbers in all or part of the document. Or include line numbers at intervals, such as every tenth line (10, 20, 30, and so on).

Adding line numbers

To add line numbers to an entire document:

1. On the File menu, click Page Setup, and then click the Layout tab.
2. In the Apply to box, click Whole document.
   
3. Click Line Numbers.
4. Select the Add line numbering check box, and then select the options you want.
   

To add line numbers to a selection of text:

1. Select the text you want to number.
2. On the File menu, click Page Setup, and then click the Layout tab.
3. In the Apply to box, click Selected text.
4. Click Line Numbers.
5. Select the Add line numbering check box, and then select the options you want.
   

To skip line numbers for specific paragraphs

1. Select the paragraphs for which you want to skip line numbers.
2. On the Format menu, click Paragraph, and then click the Line and Page Breaks tab.
3. Select the Suppress line numbers check box.