Number your headings

Applies To
Word for Microsoft 365 Word 2024 Word 2021 Word 2019 Word 2016

You can apply a numbering scheme to the headings in your document by using multilevel-list templates and built-in heading styles in Word (Heading 1, Heading 2, and so on).

Important

Make sure you're using built-in heading styles in your document.

You can number headings so that top-level headings (Heading 1) are numbered 1, 2, 3, for example, and second-level headings (Heading 2) are numbered 1.1, 1.2, 1.3.

  1. Open your document that uses built-in heading styles, and select the first Heading 1.

  2. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, choose Multilevel List.
    Choose the Multilevel List button to add numbering to a built-in heading style, for example, Heading 1, in your document heading.

  3. Under List Library, choose the numbering style you would like to use in your document.

    Note

    Depending on the type of documentation you've prepared, you might choose a template that includes the word "Heading" in the example.