How to Print Word Document Without Page Numbers

You have a Word document with page numbers in the header or footer, but you need to print a clean copy without them. Page numbers are typically inserted using the Header & Footer tool, so removing them for printing requires adjusting that section. This article explains three methods to print your document without page numbers: deleting them temporarily, using a separate section, or printing a PDF without headers and footers.

Understanding Page Number Placement in Word

Page numbers in Word are stored inside the header or footer area of each section. When you insert a page number using Insert > Page Number, Word places a PAGE field code inside the header or footer. This field automatically updates to show the current page number on each page. Because the header and footer are linked across sections by default, deleting a page number from one section removes it from all linked sections. To print selected pages without numbers, you must either delete the field entirely, unlink sections, or use a PDF workflow that strips header/footer content.

Method 1: Delete Page Numbers Temporarily and Print

This method is fastest when you need to print the whole document once without page numbers. After printing, you can undo the deletion or re-insert the page numbers.

1. Open the header or footer area
   Double-click the top or bottom margin of any page in the document. The header or footer area becomes active, and the rest of the document dims.
2. Select the page number field
   Click on the page number text or the PAGE field. It should highlight with a gray background, indicating it is a field code.
3. Delete the page number
   Press the Delete key on your keyboard. The page number disappears from the header or footer on all pages that are linked to this section.
4. Close the header and footer
   Double-click the main body area or click Close Header and Footer on the Header & Footer tab.
5. Print the document
   Press Ctrl+P to open the Print dialog. Confirm that the print preview shows no page numbers, then click Print.
6. Restore the page numbers after printing
   Press Ctrl+Z to undo the deletion. Alternatively, re-insert page numbers via Insert > Page Number > Bottom of Page.

Method 2: Use Section Breaks to Remove Numbers From Specific Pages

If you want to print only certain pages without numbers while keeping numbers on other pages, use section breaks. This method prevents the change from affecting the entire document.

1. Insert a section break before the target pages
   Place the cursor where you want the section without numbers to begin. Go to Layout > Breaks > Next Page under Section Breaks.
2. Insert another section break after the target pages
   Place the cursor at the end of the content that should have no numbers. Repeat the section break insertion.
3. Open the header or footer in the middle section
   Double-click the header or footer area on any page within the new section.
4. Break the link to the previous section
   On the Header & Footer tab, click Link to Previous to deselect it. This disconnects the header/footer from the preceding section.
5. Delete the page number in this section
   Select the page number field and press Delete. The numbers remain in the sections before and after.
6. Close the header and footer
   Double-click the document body.
7. Print only the section without numbers
   In the Print dialog, set Print All Pages. Or, under Settings, choose Custom Print and enter the section number, for example “s2” to print only section 2.

Method 3: Print to PDF Without Headers and Footers

When you print to a PDF file, some PDF applications or the built-in Microsoft Print to PDF driver can strip header and footer content. This method works well for final distribution where you want a clean PDF.

1. Open the Print dialog
   Press Ctrl+P.
2. Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer
   From the printer dropdown, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
3. Click Printer Properties
   Below the printer selection, click the Printer Properties link.
4. Look for header/footer removal options
   In the Properties dialog, check for a tab called Layout or Advanced. Some drivers include a checkbox such as “Print headers and footers.” Uncheck it if present. If no such option exists, close the dialog.
5. Print to PDF
   Click Print. Choose a folder and file name. The resulting PDF will contain the document content without page numbers if the driver stripped them.
6. Alternative: Use a third-party PDF tool
   If the built-in driver does not offer header/footer removal, use a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat or Foxit PhantomPDF. Open the PDF, then use the tool’s “Remove Headers and Footers” feature under the Organize Pages or Edit PDF menu.

Common Issues When Printing Without Page Numbers

Page numbers reappear after closing and reopening the document

If you deleted the page numbers and saved the document, they are gone. If you did not save, reopen the document and the numbers will return. Always save a copy before making permanent changes.

Section breaks cause unwanted page breaks

Section breaks automatically start a new page. If you want to avoid that, use a continuous section break instead of Next Page. Continuous breaks do not force a new page but still allow separate header/footer settings.

The PDF still shows page numbers after using Microsoft Print to PDF

The Microsoft Print to PDF driver does not have a built-in option to remove headers and footers. Use the first two methods to delete the numbers before printing to PDF, or use a third-party PDF tool that can strip them after creation.

Printing With Headers vs Without Headers: Key Differences

Item	Print with page numbers	Print without page numbers
Header/footer content	Printed on every page	Deleted or excluded from print
Document integrity	Numbers remain for reference	Cleaner look, no reference numbers
Effort required	None – default behavior	Requires deletion or section breaks
Reversibility	Always reversible	Reversible only if you undo or save a copy
Best use case	Formal reports, academic papers	Draft reviews, one-off handouts

You can now print a Word document without page numbers using deletion, section breaks, or PDF export. For a quick one-time print, delete the page number field and undo afterward. For selective removal, section breaks give you control over which pages lose numbers. If you frequently print without headers or footers, consider creating a template with empty headers and saving it as a separate file.