Very strange, for me using Word 2016 Ctrl F9 inserts/toggles field codes and Alt F9 updated the numbering sequence. The scenarios Alt F9 worked for me in renumbering was:

1. created a table, numbered the first column, then split the table adding text in between.

2. created 4 separate tables, numbered the first column of each using the continue numbering, adding text in between.

Where it didn't work was when I took tables from the two different scenarios above. It did renumber them but kept the two numbering sequences and wouldn't combine the two numbering sequences.

Which I would suppose is the solution to this issue. How do we look at all tables and combine numbering sequences?