You apply numbering levels by applying the corresponding paragraph style to text.

Note that if you set up numbering with headings (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.), the default as you press Enter is to apply Normal style (a non-heading style), which will stop the numbering. You can fix this by changing the "Style for following paragraph" setting in the Modify Style dialog box for each heading style or you can use a set of nine other styles. Using different styles makes sense if you don't really want a list of headings.

To display the Modify Style dialog box: Press Ctrl+Shift+S to display the Apply Styles pane. Type in the name of the style that you want to change, and then click the Modify button.

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional