I am writing a lengthy document divided into three sections: A, B, and C. I need each paragraph in each section to be numbered according to the following multilevel list style:

A.1.
A.1.1.
A.1.1.1.
A.1.1.1.1.
A.1.1.1.1.1.
A.1.1.1.1.1.1.
A.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.
A.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1
A.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

and

B.1.
B.1.1.


B.1.1.1.
B.1.1.1.1.
B.1.1.1.1.1.
B.1.1.1.1.1.1.
B.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.
B.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1
B.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

and

C.1.
C.1.1.
C.1.1.1.
C.1.1.1.1.
C.1.1.1.1.1.
C.1.1.1.1.1.1.
C.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.
C.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1
C.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

I have tried to define a new multilevel list for each section as well create new heading styles for each paragraph under each section. This works initially; however when I begin working in the section and adding new paragraph headings, the numbering is incorrect. For instance, if I added heading style 2 under A.6, it would come in automatically with A.1.1. rather than A.6.1.

Any ideas?

See How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in Word 2007 and Word 2010.

You should not have to create new styles, simply define a set with all nine levels defined at the same time. Your base Heading 1 level is A, B, C even if you have nothing with those tags. Each lower level is one higher number of heading. When you apply a new Heading 1, numbering after that should restart.

Note, you need to follow all of the steps in the above article even if you don't understand why you are doing it. It is like magic words, if you don't do things in the correct order, it doesn't work.

See also Numbering in Microsoft Word which gives more information but does not give the step-by-step process.

How does a paragraph heading/reference like C.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 actually help the user of your document?

Charles,

Thank you for your help! That worked perfectly.