In Word, check the status bar at the bottom of the window to see the document’s word count. Select text to see the count for that passage, or click the count for additional statistics. In Word for the web, use Editing view; if the count is hidden, go to Review > Word Count and choose Show Word Count.
Check the word count in desktop Word
- Open the document. Look along the status bar at the bottom of the Word window for the word-count display. Microsoft identifies the status bar as a place to check document counts (Microsoft Support: Show word count).
- Count a passage instead of the whole document. Select the text you want to measure. The status bar shows the selected text’s count alongside the count for the full document, so you can check a section against a target.
- View additional statistics. Click the word-count display to see more information, including characters, paragraphs, and lines.
Show the count in Word for the web
- Switch to Editing view. Microsoft says the word count may not appear at the bottom of the window when the document is outside Editing view.
- Turn on the display if it is missing. Select Review > Word Count, then select Show Word Count. This control turns the display on or off.
- Check the count as you work. Microsoft says Word for the web counts words while you type. Its feature comparison lists word count as available in both Word for the web and desktop Word (Word features comparison: Word for the web vs desktop).
Insert a word count into a desktop Word document
If the document itself needs to show its word count, insert a NumWords field. The field displays the count where you place it, but its displayed value may need to be refreshed.
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- Place the cursor where the count should appear.
- Select Insert > Quick Parts > Field.
- Choose NumWords and confirm. Microsoft’s instructions are at Use fields to insert word count in your document.
- To refresh the value, right-click the field and select Update Field. Microsoft also describes an option to update fields before printing.
If the count or interface looks different
Start with the app you are using: the desktop instructions rely on the status bar, while the web instructions include Editing view and the Review menu. Microsoft notes that Microsoft 365 features can roll out gradually, so controls may not look identical in every build. Its screen-reader navigation guidance also identifies the status bar as a place to explore Word information (Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Word).
The Tool Desk
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Quick Recap
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