How do I number the introduction and main text differently in one document?

Decide what numbering you want readers to see in each part. One clear plan is Roman numerals for the introductory pages, followed by ordinary numbers starting at 1 in the main text. Also identify the exact page where the main text should begin; that is where you will separate the two sections.

Microsoft’s Word instructions use a next-page section break, then unlink the body section’s header or footer from the previous section before setting its number format and starting number. [S1]

Write down the intended result before editing, for example:

• Introduction: Roman numerals
• Main text: 1, 2, 3, beginning at 1
• Transition: main text begins on a new page

This plan makes it easier to spot a misplaced section break or an incorrect starting number. If your desired format differs, record that instead of assuming these example settings are right for your document.

Go to the boundary between the introduction and the main text. Place the cursor at the end of the introduction and insert a next-page section break. Then confirm that the main text begins in the new section. Microsoft’s instructions use this kind of section break to support separate numbering settings. [S1]

Next, open the header or footer in the main-text section—the area where that section’s page number appears or should appear. Unlink it from the previous section. This is an important step in the instructions before you set the body section’s number format and starting number separately. [S1]

To keep the process clear, make the changes in order: create the section boundary, unlink the main-text header or footer, and then set the main-text numbering. Don’t rely on the page’s appearance alone to tell you whether it starts a new section; check that you inserted the section break at the intended boundary.

Set the number format and starting number for the main-text section separately. For this example, choose the ordinary 1, 2, 3 format and set the starting number to 1. Set the introductory section to use Roman numerals. Microsoft’s guidance describes Roman numerals for introductory pages and restarting numbering in the body. [S1]

Here is the plan in compact form:

Introduction section: Roman numerals
Main-text section: 1, 2, 3 …
Main-text starting number: 1
Section boundary: next-page section break
Main-text header/footer: unlinked from previous section

These are the settings you intend to apply, not a substitute for checking the result. Once you have made the changes, inspect the pages around the transition in your document.

Review the last introductory page, the first main-text page, and the next main-text page. Check that the introduction follows your chosen format, the first main-text page shows 1, and the following page continues with the next number. Look at the header or footer too, to catch an unwanted number or format at the transition.

If the main text continues the introduction’s numbering, check whether its header or footer is still linked to the previous section. If it starts at the wrong number, revisit the main-text starting-number setting. If the change appears at the wrong page, check the section break’s position. Microsoft recommends checking the section break and numbering settings after making the change. [S1]

Correct one issue at a time, then repeat the three-page check. The visible result is what matters: verify the transition and numbering in your own document rather than assuming the settings produced the intended layout.