May I please request some assistance with outlines? I’m using Word 2010.



Today, I made an outline, but absent-mindedly forgot to select an option for numbering. I only remembered the Multi Level List feature after I finished the entire outline…which is four pages long.

I went back into the outline and tried formatting it using the Multi Level List feature, but it didn’t really do what I wanted. The outline just didn’t format correctly. There were numbers such as 1) and 2) where a) and b) should be.

I want the outline to look something like this:

1) Advantages of Use

a) First Advantage

b) Second Advantage

2) Disadvantages of Use

a) First Advantage

b) Second Advantage

1) Sub Heading

2) Second Subheading

I also tried collapsing the entries at Heading 1, highlighting them, and then formatting them. That turned out to be a colossal mess.

So, my question is: What’s the easiest way of properly formatting the outline, without having to start it over from scratch?

If you need further details from me to help solve this problem, please let me know.

Thank you! Jd

If you have used heading styles consistently, then do the following: Place the insertion point in the first Heading 1 paragraph. Click Home tab | Multilevel List | Define New Multilevel List. In the dialog box, click the More button so that you can see all options. Define the formatting for each level, and make sure that each level has the "Link level to style" option set correctly (Heading 1 for level 1, Heading 2 for level 2, etc.).

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thank you for your reply and assistance. I finally figured out how to get the outline the way I want. It wasn't that difficult. I appreciate your help! Jd

No, it isn't that difficult, but it is convoluted, before you get the hang of it... :-)

I'm glad you got it sorted.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional