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Roman Numeral Page Numbers in Word – Guide for Windows, macOS & Ubuntu

Adding Roman numeral page numbers in Word is essential when working on formal documents like research papers, theses, books, or reports. Word allows you to switch between Roman (i, ii, iii) and Arabic (1, 2, 3) page numbering formats seamlessly. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, this guide will walk you through inserting Roman numerals using both menus and keyboard shortcuts.

📘 Why Use Roman Numerals in Word?

Roman numerals are commonly used in:

  • Front matter like title pages, prefaces, acknowledgments
  • Appendices or preliminary sections
  • Legal and academic documents for formal formatting

You can combine Roman and Arabic numbering within the same document using section breaks in Word.

🪟 How to Insert Roman Numeral Page Numbers in Word on Windows

✅ Method 1: Page Number Format Dialog

  1. Go to the Insert tab
  2. Click Page Number > Bottom of Page (or Top)
  3. Choose a location (e.g., Plain Number 2)
  4. Then go to Page Number > Format Page Numbers
  5. Under Number Format, select Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, …)
  6. Click OK

🧠 You can now see Roman numerals applied to your document pages.

✅ Keyboard Shortcut Tip

  • Alt + N + U + F opens the Page Number Format dialog box
  • Use arrow keys to select Roman numerals and press Enter

✅ Combine Roman and Arabic Page Numbers

  1. Insert a Section Break: Layout > Breaks > Next Page
  2. Go to the new section’s header/footer
  3. Unlink from previous (Design > Link to Previous)
  4. Repeat the above steps and choose i, ii, iii for one section and 1, 2, 3 for another

🍏 How to Add Roman Numeral Page Numbers on macOS

✅ Method 1: Page Numbering via Insert Menu

  1. Click Insert > Page Numbers
  2. Choose Position (Header/Footer) and alignment
  3. Click Format and under Number Format, select i, ii, iii, …
  4. Click OK

✅ Keyboard Shortcut Tip

  • No direct shortcut on macOS, but use Command + Fn + Option + F to jump to the footer quickly
  • Then follow the Insert > Page Numbers path

✅ Use Section Breaks for Mixed Numbering

  1. Place the cursor where numbering should change
  2. Go to Layout > Breaks > Section Break > Next Page
  3. Click in the new section footer and deselect Link to Previous
  4. Insert Roman or Arabic numbering as needed

🐧 How to Add Roman Numeral Page Numbers on Ubuntu

Ubuntu users often use:

  • LibreOffice Writer
  • Microsoft Word Online

✅ LibreOffice Writer

  1. Click Insert > Footer > Default Style
  2. Click in the footer and go to Insert > Fields > Page Number
  3. Right-click on the page number → Edit Fields
  4. Under Format, choose Roman (i, ii, iii) and click OK

✅ Word Online (in Browser)

  1. Click Insert > Page Numbers
  2. Scroll to Format Page Numbers
  3. Choose Roman numerals and apply

✅ Section breaks in Word Online are also possible under the Layout tab.

📋 Quick Reference Table – Roman Numerals in Word

PlatformMethodShortcut / Steps
WindowsInsert > Page Number > FormatAlt + N + U + F → select Roman format
macOSInsert > Page Numbers > FormatCommand + Fn + Option + F → open footer
UbuntuLibreOffice: Edit FieldsInsert > Fields > Page Number > Roman
Word OnlineInsert > Page Number > FormatLayout > Section Breaks → Format Page #s

🧠 Pro Tip: Combine Roman & Arabic Numbers

In long documents:

  • Use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for intro sections
  • Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for the main body
  • This is ideal for theses, books, and manuals

Insert section breaks where needed, then apply different number formats to each section.

❓ FAQ – Roman Numeral Page Numbers in Word

Can I start Roman numerals from a specific page?
Yes! Use Section Breaks and restart page numbering from the new section.

Can I mix Roman and Arabic numerals in the same document?
Absolutely. Use section breaks and apply a different number format to each.

Are lowercase or uppercase Roman numerals available?
Yes. Word typically uses lowercase (i, ii, iii) but you can switch to uppercase (I, II, III) in the format dialog.

Will Roman numerals appear correctly in PDFs?
Yes. Word preserves Roman numeral formatting when exporting to PDF.

Can I customize Roman numeral styles in Word Online?
Partially. Word Online offers basic format options but fewer customization tools than desktop versions.

✅ Conclusion

Using Roman numeral page numbers in Word is simple and adds a polished, formal touch to your documents. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, inserting and formatting Roman numerals can be done in just a few steps. Combine them with section breaks to distinguish different parts of your document—like introductions, body content, and appendices—for a professional finish.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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