{Page} Field Codes Showing Instead of Page Numbers (Add-in)

When you create an APA or MLA paper using the PERRLA for Word add-in, the page numbers will appear in the upper righthand corner of each page as is standard for both APA and MLA formatting. However, in rare instances, you may see something like {Page} in place of the page numbers. Don't worry, though, because this is simply a Word setting that is very quick and easy to change.

What you're seeing are Word's "field codes" that place the page numbers in the paper. By default, Word is set up to show the actual page numbers. If you're seeing the field codes instead, this means that the setting that controls this in Word accidentally got changed. (Side note: This will also cause {Hyperlink} to show in your references instead of the clickable URL hyperlink.)

To change this setting back to the default, please follow the instructions below. We've included instructions for both Mac and Windows.

Mac:

1. Open a paper in Microsoft Word.
2. Click the Word menu in the upper left corner.
3. Choose Preferences.
4. Click View.
5. Click the checkbox next to "Field codes instead of values" to uncheck it.
6. Close the Preferences screen, and your paper should now be showing proper page numbering (and URLs).

Windows:

1. Open a paper in Microsoft Word.
2. Click Word's File menu in the upper left corner.
3. Choose Options.
4. Choose Advanced.
5. Scroll down to "Show document content."
6. Click the checkbox next to "Show field codes instead of their values" to uncheck it.
7. Click the OK button, and your paper should now be showing proper page numbering (and URLs).