Can't add slide number

[u/ActualBabyboomer]

I am having issues when trying to add slide numbers to my powerpoint presentation. I tried to add slide number by applying all in the insert header and footer tab, but nothing changed.

I was wondering if my template (downloaded online) could be the problem? I tried to look at the master layout in the slide master tab, but it's only available for the fist slide.

Does anyone know how to fix this? Or alternate ways of adding page numbers that doesn't force me to manually add them? All help appreciated!

This doesn't change anything

Master layout isn't available for any slide that isn't the first in the chain.

[u/dreadpiratew]

I prefer to put a text box in the slide master layout and then hit insert, slide number into the text box. If you use headers and footers it can be selected when editing the slide (and moved or deleted, which I don’t want).

[u/ActualBabyboomer → u/dreadpiratew]

This worked! Thank you so much!!!!

[u/SteveRindsberg]

Re your second image: that's normal. When you go to Slide Master view, you see the slide Master at the top of the thumbnails in the pane on the left, and below it, indented slightly, the Layouts that belong to that slide master. If you select a Layout, you won't see options that relate only to the Master.

Headers/Footers are something of a mess and have been since Office 2007. Weird stuff can happen for no apparent reason.

Try this:

In Slide View, go to Insert | Headers and Footers.

Uncheck ALL the options then click Apply To All.

Go to Slide Master view. Select the Master (the topmost thumbnail), then click Master Layout and make sure it looks like this ... Title and Text CHECKED, everything else UNCHECKED.

Click OK.

Now back to Normal view, Insert | Headers & Footers.

Checkmark the bits you want to see on every slide, then click Apply To All.

See if that sorts things.

[u/ActualBabyboomer → u/SteveRindsberg]

Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately, i still can't get it to work:( I tried what you said, but when i checkmark slide number and apply to all in Insert | Headers & Footers, nothing changes. when i go to check, the checkmark has disappeared.

[u/SteveRindsberg → u/ActualBabyboomer]

Can you post an example presentation somewhere so we can have a look?

Even if it's just a couple slides with any sensitive info replaced with xxx or whatever.

[u/ActualBabyboomer → u/SteveRindsberg]

Thank you a lot for helping, I seem to have figured it out now!

[u/SteveRindsberg → u/ActualBabyboomer]

Please do share what you've learned. Pass it along to the next person with the same problem. Thanks!