Want to put sequential page numbering in footer. Would like to start numbers on something like 8th actual page. Just downloaded fresh copy of writer, followed instructions here,

[moabalan]

Having had dozens of failures with page numbering, I went to an existing lib. off doc that had never had either footers or page numbering.

updated Jun 11 '14

Have you tried:

Insert -> Header -> Default
Typed your name and title in there
Insert -> Footer -> Default
Insert -> Field -> Page Number

When I did this, my typed name appear in the regular text space next to some existing text, not in a header.
When I did the page number instructions, a page number appeared in the middle of the text, not in a footer.
Clueless in Tucson/Ready to go back to Word Alan

[librebel]

put the text cursor at the end of your 7th page,

1. select the menu "Insert : Manual Break...",
2. select Type = "Page break",
3. select Style = "Default Style",
4. check the checkbox called "Change page number",
5. type the value 8 into the textbox, and click OK.

Then Insert a Page Number field on the newest page, it should have the value “8”

[moabalan]

I followed your sequence and it did just what you said. The 8 appeared in the upper left corner of the text area. I wouldn’t want a number there. Will this work to put something in the footer? I’ll try it. Will it work to make, say, page 12 have page number 8, when I want to skip some pages at the start of the text and then number them? Thanks for quick response.

[librebel]

sure , you can insert the page number field anywhere on the page, preferably inside the Footer

[moabalan]

An hour later I’m able to answer my own question for the version downloaded July 4, 2017
probably 5.2 XX.

To create footer, this is the key sequence

Formate - Page - Footer - Footer On -

Separately I learned to use Ctl-page down to place cursor inside footer

I like a center page number and Ctl-E centers the cursor

To place sequential page numbers;

Insert - Field - Page Number

No matter which page I’m on it appears to start on the first page and do 1, 2, 3 numbering to end of doc. Just placed page numbers for first time in a novel with 294 pages, which will make printing out and keeping pages in order a lot easier.