Why can't I get my slide numbers to show?

Anonymous
2010-07-09T22:52:05+00:00

I have tried other answers to similar questions, but it still will not work.  I am using PowerPoint 2010, and have loaded a template that was created in a previous (not sure which) version.

I finished and saved my presentation.  I have gone to the master slide viewer and added slide numbers in the "Insert" menu.

I then do the same from the regular view of the presentation.  Each time I go in, the option is again unchecked, even after I apply to all.  I have changed this in the print page as well, only to have the "Print Slides" checkbox clear itself once I click Apply To All. 

I have repeatedly tried to remove the data and page numbers as well, but they also magically reappear...

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-07-10T13:22:26+00:00

Edited November 18, 2015, to add this information:

Microsoft has started using powerpoint.uservoice.com for feature and bug fix requests from the PowerPoint community. Have an issue that's not getting the attention you want? Post it on uservoice and then talk to your friends about throwing some votes at it! I added the slide number/header-footer issue; now let's vote it up!

http://powerpoint.uservoice.com/forums/288949-powerpoint-for-windows-desktop-application/suggestions/10609608-make-it-easier-to-get-my-slide-numbers-and-date-a

For now, here's what we're stuck with:

You need two things for a slide number -- a placeholder, and to populate the placeholder.

PowerPoint messes up the whole structure -- or seems to -- when you open 2003 and prior files in 2007 and 2010 (and 2013 and 2016). They really mucked stuff up! It's partly because the whole masters paradigm is different now, but they still blew it. (Trust me, I've complained mightily to the PPT developers about it. I will continue to do so.)

Here's the most straightforward way to fix them that I know.

Go to the slide master (the big thumbnail), select any footer / slide number boxes and delete them. Now look at the slide layouts (little thumbnails). Delete any footers / date / slide number boxes on each layout.

You shouldn't have to do this part, I know. But because it's all messed up, this is the most surefire way I know to correct the issues.

Now go back to the Slide Master (big thumbnail), click Master Layout on the Ribbon and tick the boxes for date, slide number, and footer. Format and position the placeholders as desired.

Now select each slide layout and tick the Footers box on the Ribbon.

Then close Master View.

Now go to Insert | Header and Footer (or Insert | Slide Number is fine, too) and tick the box there for slide number. The slide number placeholder you created should be populated with the slide number.

The key here is having the placeholder on all the slide layouts. When you add the placeholders to the slide master (big thumbnail), the associated slide layouts (little thumbnail) should inherit them. But part of the problem is that any "leftover" layouts from PPT 2003 don't always inherit the footer (and date and slide number) placeholders properly.

And there's other weird stuff that goes on.

The other thing is, if you paste or insert other existing slides, you may need to do this all over again. That's because you may end up with additional slide masters or layouts after pasting in slides. So I recommend you do it after you've added all the slides you're going to add.

Hopefully this will get you going.

-- Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

55 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-04T13:07:41+00:00

    Very helpful, thank you for the walkthrough!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-25T16:49:36+00:00

    Hi Echo S.

    First, thank you for your assistance.  I followed the steps you laid out and I now see page numbers on some of my slides (the Divider slides).  However, I don't see page numbers on any slides that are using the Title and Content layout.  Any suggestions? 

    Thanks, 

    DL -

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-04T07:58:13+00:00

    Always good to list exactly what you did do (instead of "I did all the steps")

    Sometimes someone will spot a missing "step"

    The slide number / footer thing is really screwed up after 2007 but usually If the placeholders are on the layouts then INSERT > Headers Footers > Number ticked > Apply to All will work.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-03T20:13:38+00:00

    Hm. So, just to be clear, you applied the slide number placeholders to all slide layouts, then you populated them using Insert | Header and Footer, and then you used RESET on the specific slides where the page numbers did not show. Is that correct?

    I have actually seen this happen before, but it's always when I'm in a hurry (big fast deadline) and don't have time to deal with the reason. So, like you, I've copied existing page numbers onto the slides where they don't show up just to get it done.

    However, what I'd probably try in your situation is going back to the slide master and layouts and removing all the footer placeholders -- that is, select and delete them. Then turn them back on on the master (use the Master Layout button), format them, and then turn them back on on the layouts (use the Footer button on each layout). And you might have to hit RESET on the problem slides again. (And in fact, you might have to hit RESET twice.)

    Also check which specific layouts the slides in question use. Could it be that they're using a Title Slide layout (for example) that doesn't have any footer placeholders?

    Sorry I don't have anything better for you. Wish I did.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments