I'm trying to make it so my headings are like:

but when I tried to apply numbers to heading level 2, the numbers failed to restart at chapter 2 (as seen in the screenshot) and also don't include the previous heading number. I'd like it so that heading level 4 with be like: 2.1.1.1 etc. I would, however, like my chapter headings to stay starting "Chapter 2" rather than "2. Chapter 2" or whatever.

I can sort of apply the numbering I want by moving the cursor into a heading and selecting the appropriate "multilevel list" format but that changes the level 1 headings from "Chapter 2" to "2." and if I try to modify the format of heading level 1 then all the subsequent subheadings change from 2.whatever to 1.whatever.

Does anyone know what I mean and how to achieve it? Thanks!

How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in Ribbon Versions of Word by Shauna Kelly

That's great, thanks! The solution was to select "define new multilevel list" and make a small change to "enter formatting for number".

You've got a handle on it. I'm glad.


For anyone else reading this thread, though, go to Shauna Kelly's article. It may seem a bit convoluted, but the steps she shows are the only known way to get consistent, bulletproof numbering in Word using automatic numbering.