How to Add Chapter Numbers to Captions in Microsoft Word

If you’re working on a document with multiple chapters and that includes figures, tables, or equations, you might want to add the relevant chapter number to the caption for each object. In this guide, we will take you through the steps for adding chapter numbers to captions in Microsoft Word.

Apply a Heading Style to Your Chapter Headings

It is important that you use a unique heading style for your chapter headings. For example, if you use Heading 1 as the style for chapter headings, you should not use Heading 1 for any other text in the document. If you do, Word will identify that text as another chapter heading, and things will get very confusing!

To apply a heading style in Microsoft Word:

Select the relevant text with the cursor.

Go to the Styles gallery in the Home tab.

Select the heading style you wish to use.

When you have repeated these steps for each of your chapter headings, the next stage is to add numbering to the chapter headings.

Apply Numbering to Chapter Headings

To apply automatic numbering to your chapter headings:

Select the first chapter heading.

In the Home tab, click the arrow next to Multilevel List.

Select an appropriate style from the List Library. Choose one that includes Chapter 1 and the heading style you have used. You may have to click Define new multilevel list if there isn’t one that matches your chosen heading style.

You only need to follow these steps for the first chapter heading as the numbering should automatically be applied to every heading in the same style.