I have a need to number all paragraphs (as in body text) with numbers which include the Heading level. I cannot use a Heading level for this (as the text may be at different levels. And I cannot find a way of prefixing a ListNum with the heading level. What I am trying to achieve looks something like this:

1. First Heading level 1
1.1 Heading level 2
1.1.1 Lots of body text


1.1.2 Lots of body text
1.2 Another Heading Level 2
1.2.1 Heading Level 3
1.2.1.1 Lots of body text
1.2.1.2 Lots of body text
1.3 Another Heading Level
1.3.1 Lots of body text
etc
So the body text is at different levels. Is there a way of doing this without manual numbering?

You might be able to use a STYLEREF field to retrieve the current heading number (Insert tab | Quick Parts | Field). The downside is that the field references the current number of a specific heading style, so some manual intervention will be required.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks for reply Stefan.
I have managed to get (just about) what I need by using { LISTNUM LegalDefault } with Heading Level and then { LISTNUM LegalDefault } with my own paragraph style for the body text. (and making sure auto numbering of headings is not turned on).
The only draw back is that I have to copy in the { LISTNUM LegalDefault } every time. Is there a way of building in a prefix to a style containing { LISTNUM LegalDefault } followed by a TAB character?

Assuming that you don't make use of auto-numbered headings, what you have decided to do would definitely be the best approach! :-)

Hmm, it's been a long time sine I last tested this, but if you were to use heading numbers, you should be able to make use of "unnamed" LISTNUM fields in the body text paragraphs, that is, { LISTNUM } without "LegalDefault."

To insert LISTNUM fields more easily, create Building Block entries.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I just tried using auto-numbered headings with "unnamed" LISTNUM fields in the body text paragraphs and it doesn't seem to work - it tries to number as if it is next number of heading level.
It kind of works with LegalDefault, but there seems to be odd side effects if you have unnumbered paras in between.
Anyway, thanks for help - I will stick to { LISTNUM LEGALDEFAULT } at least for current document.
I think a built-in "body text" style that assumed the next level down from the previous heading level would be a good addition to word.

For unnamed fields to work, you have to make sure that there are no "intervening" lists, and you may also have to specify the numbering level for each field that you add. You can do that by manually adding the \L switch (followed by a number) or you can right-click the LISTNUM field and choose Increase Indent (or Decrease Indent), which would accomplish the same thing.

The way you are already doing seems to work, though, so why not continue doing that? :-)

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional