This is an interesting question and a macro could most likely be created but it would get very complex in a hurry. For instance, your post begins with point a & b which immediately raises the possibility of the same in your content. Also can a list be 1.1, 1.2, 2, 3, 3.1, 3.2 or 1a, 1b etc. What if an author says 'item 3' or 'clause 3' or 'point 3 of clause 27.2'?

Are your lists always using only arabic numerals and only ever contain one number stream? Is the key word ALWAYS the same and ALWAYS only referring to points in the same list?

To get you started, you can get the current value of the list element with
Selection.Range.ListFormat.ListString

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia