I know it can’t do it automatically, but is there a way to do this manually? I don’t care if I have to type the page number on every page individually, I need roman numerals for the first few pages, then standard numbering for the text.
I also need alternating headers, but with no header on certain pages.
I think you don’t need insert manuscript page numbers, using a different page style for every different numbering it’s all you need.
Please take a look at LibreOffice_Writer_Guide in Chapter 4 you can find about how to use page styles.
I read the instructions, which are horribly confusing. When I create a style, my page just goes back to default. I did manage to get page numbers to start over, but they were in the same style. This after fighting the buggy program that likes to jump to the middle of the manuscript, forcing me to constantly scroll back to the beginning.
@BKA - @mariosv 's answer is correct. However is seems you missed to read the part how you can use several page styles.
Between each style you need to insert a page break with style change.
Insert > Manual break > Page break > Style and here you need to select the style you want to use next.
I too recommend to read the Writer Guide. It will save you a lot of time.
Concerning the “buggy program” just a few words. There is NO computer program without any bug. Also in LibO there are bugs. The developers - all voluntary work - do there best to correct bugs. However, very often people complain about bugs and the real bug is that they do not sufficiently understand the program. Therefore reading the Guide…
EDIT after comment:
You do it the same way. You create a new or modify an existing page style with the headers you need for each style.
For no display of headers above chapter titles you could create a style “Chapter Start Page” and have no header for this page. If you set in this style under Organizer tab, the Next Style to “Chapter Pages” you need only a page break with style change at the beginning of new chapter.
EDIT after 2nd comment:
No it will not. You need/can to set continue or start new. Please also look into the Guide.
I did that, and got the styles to finally take. How do I have alternating headers (Author/Title), but have the header not appear at the top of the Chapter Title pages?
Will that mess up my page numbers?
Thanks for the help. I apologize for my frustration and impatience, but I want to get this done by the end of the year and the farther into it I got, the more complex it became.
The problem is, I did look at the guide, and found it confusing and not very instructive for those of us not familiar with advanced formatting.