Why Can\'t We Simply Add CSS Page Numbers to Web Pages?

Browser Support for CSS Page Numbers: An Intriguing Dilemma

Despite its apparent simplicity, adding page numbers to the print version of a web page using CSS poses a perplexing challenge. While the @page and @bottom-right tags seem promising, their practical implementation has proven elusive in popular web browsers.

To address this issue, one user attempted to implement the following code in a bare-bones HTML file:

@page {
  @bottom-right {
    content: "TEXT";
  }
}

However, this resulted in no visible text. Further attempts to use counters and more complex content also proved unsuccessful in Chrome, Firefox, and IE9 on Windows 7.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that paged media support in web browsers is still in its infancy. According to the Wikipedia page on layout engine comparison, none of the major browsers currently support margin boxes. This critical feature enables page numbering, headers, and footers.

As a result, implementing CSS page numbers remains an elusive goal for web developers. PDF conversion is currently the only reliable solution, but it incurs additional overhead. The lack of browser support for paged media highlights the ongoing evolution of web technologies and the challenges that arise in pushing their boundaries.

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