Restart list numbering using a higher level style

S

StarWine

Hi, I have asked a number of numbering questions in the message boards and
have been directed to
http://www.syntagma.demon.co.uk/FAQs/ListRestartMethods.htm and
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html for advice.

The syntagma article implies that I can have a numbered list restart if I
base it on a "body text" style. In this case, the "body text" style in my
template is Normal. Normal is NOT linked to any other style. All headings,
other lists, etc. are based on a style I created (Style Based On) or on (no
style) for that purpose.

Whenever I set up the list and attempt to incorporate Normal as level 1, the
level 2 and lower list levels do not renumber and/or Normal inherit the
numbering scheme, which I do not want. I want Normal to remain as a
paragraph style without any numbering.
I have attempted to set Normal to Level 1 in an outline numbering list and
clear the numbering (so that number format is blank and number style is
listed as none in the customize outline numbered list screen) and then base
level 2 on Normal and assign it to level 2, but when I do this the numbering
scheme disappears and/or level 2 resets itself to level 1, which then puts me
back to having a level 1 that won’t restart after Normal.

Can anyone help me or send me an example of this in a document? I can
create outline numbered lists that restart after each instance of the level 1
style, but cannot get level 1 to restart after Normal. I need level 1 to
restart after Normal and then all other lower level lists to be based on
level 1.

Here is an example of what I’m trying to achieve:

1. Heading 1
Normal style paragraph one.
(a) list level 1
(b) list level 1, second item
(c) list level 1, third item
(1) list level 2
(2) list level 2, second item
a. list level 3
b. list level 3, second item
Normal style paragraph two.
(a) list type a, second instance
(b) list type a, second instance, second item
(1) list level 2, second instance
(2) list level 2, second instance, second item

Thank you for your help.
 
M

Margaret Aldis

Hi StarWine

Personally I've never risked using Normal in this way, but I've tested what
you want to do and it does work. The problems you are having are not to do
with using Normal (but see caveats below) but the order of work - you must
follow Shauna's instructions, which means setting the whole numbering scheme
up by 'Modify'ing the top level style (Normal in this case). From Numbering
on that style, customize an outline numbering scheme, linking the Level 1
(formatted with no number) to Normal, Level 2 to List Number (say) and so
on. You mustn't touch the numbering on List Number directly, or it will a)
reset to Level 1 and b) detach itself from the Normal outline numbering you
set up there - as you've found, I think.

I have never done this is 'real life', where I suspect that having Normal
both part of the numbering scheme *and* using it to base other styles on is
probably pushing Word's numbering too far, but experiments show that this
will still work if you base other styles (even List Number) on Normal. If
you do this then any unnumbered style based on Normal will also restart the
list, which might be interesting. But no guarantees one of Word's 'special
treatments' for Normal won't blow you away later. For example 'clear
formatting' - normally synonymous with applying Normal style - removes your
'unnumbered numbering' and thus the restart characteristics.
 
S

StarWine

Margaret,

I want to thank you very much for your answer. Out of all the times I have
asked for help, your answer has been the only one that led me to the proper
resolution and outcome. You give very good instructions. I have set up the
list structure with Normal as Level 1 and everything seems to work
wonderfully. Again, thanks.
 

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