I wish to print a single document many times, about 500, and I would like
there to be a separate reference number on each printed page(preferably a
consecutive count of the number of printed pages). I am not sure whether
there is a formula which would let me do this. However, i dont think it would
be pratical to create around 500 separate worksheets, so is there a way to
have this done automatically when the document is printed?

You could do this with a simple macro such as the following:

Open the VBA Editor by pressing Alt-F11
From the menu choose, Insert Module
The past the following code in that module.
In Excel launch the macro by pressing Alt-F8, selecting it then Run.

Sub PrintMultiple()

i = InputBox("Enter number to print?")

For x = 1 To i
Worksheets("Sheet1").Range("A1").Value = x
ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets.PrintOut Copies:=1, Collate:=True
Next x

MsgBox i & " copies printed"

End Sub

Change to suit.

- John