list numbers (more of a sad story than a question)

[kathleenm]

Ah yes, the bugaboo. Sometimes it will work beautifully,
sometimes it won't. I seem to have stumbled upon a
solution that is absolutely wrong (I write a lot of
instructions but try to limit them to two levels): when
the next list won't restart (this often happens), I save,
quit, shut down the computer, restart, sometimes paste the
material into a new doc. But often I make a new style.
Sigh, my numbering is trashed right now.

Back to the drawing board. Please, no descriptions of vba
code, I'm not a programmer and don't have time to learn
(though I've learned to use the macro recorder so it is
some help).

 

[Chad DeMeyer]

Please see http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Numbering/ListRestartMethods.htm.

Regards,
Chad DeMeyer

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

And note that if you intend ever to use more than one level of numbering
(outline numbering), you need to set it up according to
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

 

[Almali del Benian]

Coming in late - I've been away.

And note that if you intend ever to use more than one level of numbering
(outline numbering), you need to set it up according to
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

I'm browsing on the MVP FAQ site, and after I had problems this
morning with my template, I started from scratch, creating a new
template. I made the headings, following Shauna Kelly's site article,
and continued with List Bullets, but couldn't find anything for List
Number on Shauna's site. Then I went to the MVP FAQ site. I'll go back
there; the article on the terrors of list numbering scared me too
much; I was too tired. I'll go back again after a rest.

However, does anytbody know if I can or should format the style

List Number

in the same way as List Bullets?

Or am I on the wrong track altogether?

It could be my concept at fault. My Outline numbering is working fine;
I'd done my previous template also from Shauna Kelly's site. However,
I changed machines, and perhaps changing from Windows 98 SE to Windows
XP Home did something to the template in transition.

I'm not seeing a numbered list as necessarily a part of outline
numbering. I'm thinking of it as independent from that, and maybe I'm
wrong to do that. I see a numbered list as fitting anywhere in the
Outline Level, anywhere under any Heading level, and as continuing
till the list is done. I had thought I had that working all right on
my old machine; it seemed to; I think I could get up to 100 numbers,
or maybe 101, before starting to run into difficulties.

I don't anticipate (though one never knows) needing a numbered list
with more than 100 numbers on the list. If that does happen, I'll
worry about that later.

Any ideas, or instructions? Maybe I"m just being blind, and should
simply try the same procedure as for List Bullet!


Almali del Benian

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

If you don't want the list numbering to restart, then a separate list should
work as you expect, since by default Word continues a previous list. If you
use the built-in List Number style, it will probably be formatted the way
you want (if it's not, you can modify it), and it will already have a list
template attached. Anytime the list does not continue as expected,
right-clicking and choosing "Continue Previous List" should do the trick.

 

[Almali del Benian]

Hi Suzanne,

Looks as though I missed something about Word I hadn't understaood -
that the LIst Number style is built-in! I"m not sure why I had trouble
with it yesterday with my older template, though I do expect the
template had become corrupted. See my additional question below the
quote.

If you don't want the list numbering to restart, then a separate list should
work as you expect, since by default Word continues a previous list. If you
use the built-in List Number style, it will probably be formatted the way
you want (if it's not, you can modify it), and it will already have a list
template attached. Anytime the list does not continue as expected,
right-clicking and choosing "Continue Previous List" should do the trick.

Aha; thanks! However, I will mostly be wanting to restart list numbers
at various points in the text; is there a way to tell Word to do that?

Now I need to say, I'm using Word 2000 (should have said so
yesterday), with Windows XP Home, on a very competent current PC <g>.

(Preparing also for my further study on the Word MVP FAQ site - a
truly great resource!

Thanks so much for your always succinct and very clear help!

Almali del Benian

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

If you need to restart numbering, I think you'll find that Restart Numbering
(also on the context menu) is pretty dependable in Word 2002 and 2003 (less
so in Word 2000), but if you can identify the conditions under which you
would be restarting numbering, you'd be better off setting up outline
numbering with your List Number style at Level 2 (or lower) and set to
restart after the next higher level. If there is no specific outline level
after which it will dependably be restarted, then you'll need another
method. I think you've already been referred to Margaret Aldis's article on
restart methods.

There is a whole series of List Number styles built in (List Number, List
Number 2, List Number 3), etc. These have progressively larger indents and
compare directly to List Bullet, List Bullet 2, etc.; List, List 2, etc.;
List Continue, List Continue 2, etc. If you are setting up outline numbering
for your headings, here are two things to consider:

1. Outline numbering is not just for headings. It can include lists in "body
text."

2. This means that you can mix and match heading styles and body text styles
in an outline numbering list template. For example, you could have Heading 1
as Level 1, Heading 2 as Level 2, and List Number (or List Number 2 or
whatever) as Level 3.

3. Or you can use a heading style for what is really body text, though this
is perhaps less advisable for a variety of reasons.

Another thing to consider: If your list numbering doesn't need to be
dynamic, you don't need to use auto numbering at all! This is a fact often
overlooked by people who are trying to replicate existing numbered material.
If you're quoting something that's numbered, you don't want that numbering
ever to change. Or, if you have a list of five things, and you know that
there will never be more or fewer than five, and that you will not be
changing their order, then you don't need auto numbering. Just use one of
the List styles instead (they have a hanging indent but no numbering) and
type your numbering in manually.

Another thought: if the order of your list is unimportant, use a bulleted
list instead. If you're just listing a bunch of stuff that can be presented
in any order and still make sense, you save yourself a lot of headaches by
using bullets, since you can rearrange them to your heart's content without
worrying about the numbers changing.

 

[Almali del Benian]

Suzanne,

This is the most wonderfully helpful post! I've saved it in two
different places, and will be learning from it. Sorry for the delay;
had an emergency here - now only long-term post-op nursing, 24-hour
on-call (eek!)

Your posts are so easy to read and follow, even for me, still
unfamiliar with many aspects of Word. I'm really learning because of
the clarity with which you explain!

Thanks again!

Almali del Benian