Learn how to quickly point everyone to the same place using page numbers and bookmarks in Google Docs.
Illustration: Andy Wolber / TechRepublic
Google Docs offers a few options for page numbers. First you can choose whether you want to place the page number in the header or footer of your document. Second, you can select whether you want to number each page or start the series after a title page. Google Docs bundles these options and presents you with four settings (as shown below). In a web browser, Google Docs includes additional functions for page numbers, such as the ability to insert the total number of pages, as well as an option to number pages differently in different sections.
Google Docs also offers in-document bookmarks, which allow you to link to specific text in a document. For example, if you want people to discuss specific sections of a Google document, select text, add a bookmark, and then insert a link to each of the bookmarks at the beginning of your Google document. When people open the document, they can click (or tap) the inserted links to go to the bookmark.
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Here’s how to work with page numbers and bookmarks in both the Google Docs mobile apps (on Android and iOS devices), and in a desktop-class web browser.
Insert page numbers in Google Docs mobile apps
Tap to open the Google Doc app (on Android or iOS devices), and then open a document that you can edit.
1. Tap the + symbol in the upper right corner.
2. Scroll through the list of items and tap Page Number.
3. Tap to select one of the four page number format options (Figure A):
- Header number, number each page
- Header number, number each page after a title page
- Number in footer, number every page
- Number in footer, number each page after a title page
Figure A
Press + top right and then choose Page Number (left). Tap the selected page numbering and order (center). The selected option is displayed in your document (right).
Insert page numbers in Google Docs on the web
Go to https://docs.google.com and double-click or tap to open a document that you can edit. Choose Insert | Page numbers, and then tap to choose from one of the four page number formats (Figure B). Note: The page number options are the same as those listed in the mobile section above.
If you prefer additional control over numbering, you can Insert | Page numbers More options and then select your numbering location and counting preferences. These options include the ability to number sections continuously or differently.
Figure B
Select Insert | Header & Page Number Page numbers then choose one of the four options for page numbers.
You can also insert the total number of pages, which can help to transfer the reader’s place into a document. Select Insert | for this Page numbers Number of pages. People sometimes add extra characters between the page number and the number of pages; For example, you can use this function to display something such as “7 of 9”, where the first number is the page number and the second number is the number of pages.
Insert bookmarks in Google Docs
Within each Google document that you can edit, move your cursor to a location where you want to add a bookmark. In the Google Docs app for iOS, tap the + (top right), and then tap Bookmark (Figure C). Or choose Insert | in a web browser in Google Docs Bookmark. A blue bookmark icon is displayed to the left of the text line where you have inserted the bookmark. Note: From November 2019, Google Docs on Android will not offer an option to insert bookmarks.
To delete a bookmark, click or tap the bookmark icon to select it, and then choose Delete.
Figure C
Place your cursor at the desired location in your Google document, and then tap the + in the upper right corner. Tap Bookmark in the menu at the bottom. Your bookmark is displayed in the left margin in Google Docs on iOS and on the web.
How do I link to a bookmark in a Google document
To link to a bookmark, place your cursor at the location in your document where you want to add a bookmark link. Then, in the Google Docs app for iOS, tap the + (top right), and then tap Link. Or choose Insert | in a web browser in Google Docs Link.
After you have done this, click or tap Bookmarks below the link box, and then click or tap the link that you want to insert. By default a link is displayed, drawn from the text where you have inserted your bookmark (Figure D). You can edit the link text if desired and then tap the check mark (in the iOS app) or select Apply (in Google Docs in a web browser).
Figure D
In Google Docs on the Internet, choose Insert | Link (top left). Choose Bookmarks from the menu that appears and then select the bookmark you want to link to (top right). If desired, change the link name (center right). Google Docs displays your link (underlined by default and blue) (below).
What is your experience?
If you add page numbers in Google Docs, which placement and format do you use the most? Have you used the bookmark function in Google Docs? If so, how did you find the position useful? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter (@awolber).
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