I am looking for a formula to do the following in a column.

I have 12-1 in a cell. I would like the cells in the column below this cell to increase by one. So... 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, etc.

Can I do this in a Word table?

Thank You

hi mygsdni,

In the first cell, insert a SEQ field coded as:
{SEQ Counter \# "'12-'0"}
Then simply copy the field to each of the remaining cells. When you're done copying, select the table and press F9 to update the field display.

Note: The field brace pairs (ie '{ }') for the above example are created via Ctrl-F9 - you can't simply type them or copy & paste them from this message.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Wow!! Works like a charm.

Is there a way I can specify the first cell at the top of that column with a number to start off with without having to recopy the formula in each cell below the column?? In other words, I need to then start the column with 12-13. Then I will need to start the colum with 12-25.

Thank You so much, you have no idea how excited to get an answer, never mind that there was an answer!

Kristin

Hi mygsdni,

You could use a custom numbering format for a Paragraph Style, where the '12-' is hard-coded into the numbering. That would eliminate the SEQ field and cause the numbering to update immediately a new paragraph in that Style is created.

To do this, select any unused paragraph in the document, format its layout, font etc for how you want these paragraphs to look, then go to Format|Bullets and Numbering|Numbered. Pick a suitable base numbering system and choose 'Customize'. Then, in the 'Number Format' box, type your 12- before the # (be careful not to delete the #). Click OK. Then choose Format|Styles and Formatting|New Style and give your paragraph a suitable Style name. Click OK and you're done. Now, whenever you want one of these paragraphs, simply apply your custom Style to it.

As for numbering different columns, either method results in the numbering going across then down, whereas it appears you want down then across. The only ways of overcoming this are to:
a) use different SEQ field names (ie change 'Counter' to something else for the 2nd column) and set a new starting # for the first row;
b) use different Style names for each column, with their own default starting #s; or
c) change both the table's layout and its text orientation so that the columns and rows are transposed and the side-on text gives the appearance of the numbering going down the columns.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]