How to number tables and figures in Word
What the rule sets in the TypesetOS checker apply for caption numbering. Tables and figures numbered consecutively, in one system throughout: Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD Dissertation, University of Michigan Rackham Dissertation and Generic US Graduate School Thesis.
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What this rule means
Tables and figures have to be numbered consecutively, in one system throughout, without a gap or a repeated number.
Numbers typed by hand go out of date as soon as a table or figure is moved or removed. Numbers that Word inserts update with the document.
What each rule set asks for
Each row is the rule set the TypesetOS checker applies, taken from the guide linked in its last column. Open the school’s own page for the full list of rules.
| School or style | What the checker applies | How it is handled | Guide it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD DissertationHarvard Griffin GSAS PhD Dissertation format requirements | Tables and figures numbered consecutively, in one system throughout | Shown for reviewThe formatter does not fix this one; use the steps below. | Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: Dissertation Formatting Guidance |
| University of Michigan Rackham DissertationUniversity of Michigan Rackham Dissertation format requirements | Tables and figures numbered consecutively, in one system throughout | Shown for reviewThe formatter does not fix this one; use the steps below. | University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School: Formatting Guidelines |
| Generic US Graduate School ThesisGeneric US Graduate School Thesis format requirements | Tables and figures numbered consecutively, in one system throughoutWorking reading: source being re-checked. | Shown for reviewThe formatter does not fix this one; use the steps below. | University of Notre Dame Graduate School: Style Guide for Formatting Dissertations and Theses |
Generic US Graduate School Thesis is a working reading, because the source is being re-checked.
The checker does not apply this rule for MIT Thesis, Stanford Dissertation, UC Berkeley Dissertation, Columbia GSAS Dissertation, ProQuest / UMI Dissertation Submission, APA 7th Edition: Student Paper, Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition.
TypesetOS is not affiliated with the schools and organisations named on this page. Compare the values with the current guide that applies to your submission.
Fix it in Word
Word on Windows
- Delete caption numbers you typed by hand, such as “Figure 3”.
- Click the figure or table, open the References tab and click Insert Caption.
- In the Label list choose Figure or Table, then click OK.
- After moving or removing a caption, press Ctrl+A to select everything, then F9 to renumber all captions.
Word on Mac
- Delete caption numbers you typed by hand, such as “Figure 3”.
- Click the figure or table, open the Insert menu and click Caption.
- In the Label list choose Figure or Table, then click OK.
- After moving or removing a caption, press Command+A to select everything, then F9 (Fn+F9 on some keyboards) to renumber all captions.
- For numbers that include the chapter, such as 2.1 and 2.2, give the chapter titles a numbered, unique heading style, then click Numbering… in the Caption dialog and tick Include chapter number. Microsoft’s page below has the full steps.
Microsoft’s own instructions:
Then check the file
Run the free format checker on the saved file to see whether this rule now passes. It names what it checked and what it could not check. It does not decide whether your school will accept the file.
Other fixes in Word
- How to fix thesis margins in Word
- How to set the page size of a thesis in Word
- How to fix the body font and size in Word
- How to fix thesis line spacing in Word
- How to fix skipped heading levels in Word
- How to start every chapter on a new page in Word
- How to fix the reference list layout and hanging indent in Word
- How to put the front pages of a thesis in order in Word
- How to add page numbers to a thesis in Word
- How to fix the position of page numbers in Word
- How to fix Roman and Arabic page number formats in Word
Word steps last reviewed: 2026-10-17.