How do you easily add equation numbers to Microsoft Word 2010 equations?

How do you create equations in Word 2010 that are automatically numbered with the equation number centered vertically on the equation and right justified? While a number of references have discussed the use of three column tables, finding a step by step proceedure kicked my but for some time.

You can create a template that can be used to automatically generate the table and equation with number to the right:

1. Insert → Table → 3x1.

2. Right click table → Table Properties.

3. In Table Tab, Check Preferred Width → Percent → 100.

4. In Column Tab, set preferred width to 7%, 86% and 7% for 1st 2nd and 3rd column respectively.

   These values work well for Times New Roman 12pt equation numbers. (Other percentages will work provided they add up to 100%.)

5. Click Ok.

6. Insert → Equation into center column (type in current equation or placeholder).

7. Click References → Insert Caption.

   Select Label: Equation
   Position: Above or Below

8. Adjust numbering as desired.

9. Cut and past number from above location to right column of equation table.

10. Right-align text in right column.

11. Center equation column.

12. Highlight the entire table.

13. Turn off borders.

14. Re-highlight the entire table.

15. Select Insert → Equation → Save Selection to Equation Gallery.

Now if you want to insert an equation with automatic numbering in standard journal/conference paper format, just select the template you have made from the equation gallery and it will insert it into the document as desired.

Equation numbers will be automatically updated and references can be made to them using the References → Cross Reference option for equations.

NOTE: If you'd like to save this newly formatted equation as a keyboard shortcut (like pressing the Alt and + keys simultaneously in order to create a new equation), you can do so by going to File → Options → Customize Ribbon → Customize Shortcuts and then selecting "Building Blocks". Search for your newly created equation template in the right list, then assign a keyboard shortcut to it.

Although the OP asked about Microsoft Word 2010, there is another option in Microsoft Word 2016 that seems to work better. Based on this MSDN blog post, it is now possible to insert right-aligned equation numbers natively within the equation block. With this solution, there is no need for a table or style separators.

1. Insert empty display equation with Insert->Equation
2. Type equation (or placeholder)
3. Still within the equation, type #(1) followed by Enter to format the equation. This should result in a centered equation and right-aligned figure number.

For manual equation numbering you could stop here. To set up automatic numbers, you would continue with a similar procedure to the original solution:

4. Click References → Insert Caption. Select Label: equation, and check "Exclude label from caption" (depending on your formatting preference).
5. Cut and paste the new caption into the equation block, replacing the manual "1" number.

At this point, you can save the entire captioned equation with Design → Equation → Save Selection to Equation Gallery.

To reference the automatic equation number inline, you would create a bookmark and reference the bookmark:

1. Highlight the automatic equation number inside the equation block, and click Insert → Bookmark. You can include the parentheses in the bookmark text, or just highlight the number itself.
2. Add a new named bookmark
3. With the cursor in the text where you want the equation reference, click Insert → Cross-reference, select reference type "Bookmark" and select your new bookmark.