"restart numbering" changes style (2010)

[eNGiNe]

I've followed Shauna Kelly's excellent tips and set up four levels of numbering; so far so good. The problem is, that both Restart Numbering and Set Numbering Value change the indents and tabs set by the style.

Before the restart, the settings look like this:



After the restart, they look like this – not even a style I've defined!



Round the edges, the "Restart list after ..." checkbox is greyed out for level 1: just where I'd like to say "restart numbering after Body Text".



So – what's the recommended (and preferably foolproof) method for restarting numbering without breaking the style? Thanks in advance!

[nattasiray]

Dear Engine

Could please capture the result that you want after restart number?

Thanks

[Stefan Blom]

Is there a reason why you resort to manual restarts even though you have set up an outline-numbered list? Normally, you should be able to let higher levels of the list restart lower ones.

[eNGiNe]

@ nattasiray ‒ indents the same for all items, as shown in the first screenshot; numbering starting at 1.

[eNGiNe]

Thanks for the quick reply, Stefan! if my answer doesn't give the information you need, just ask again <g>

> higher levels of the list restart lower ones

My content often requires several ordered lists under the same heading. In my usual environment, I can use a counter associated with a Body Text style to restart numbering each time I start a list, but in the Word dialog the Restart checkbox is greyed out for level one of a list. So … I went for a manual restart and saw the margins and tabs change before my very eyes.

eNGiNe

[Stefan Blom]

Word assumes that you don't want to restart the top level in style-based numbering. But note that you can set up an outline list with a "dummy" level 1 style that you use only to force restarts. That is, what appears to be the "top level" (to people who read the document) is really level 2.

[eNGiNe]

Ah, assumptions … thanks for the tip, Stefan; it sounds promising, and I'll try it out.
btw, is there any logic behind the way "Restart …" tampers with tabs and indents?

[Stefan Blom]

It happens because there is a conflict between the indentation defined in the list format and the indentation defined in the Paragraph dialog box. For some reason, restarting the numbering may revert to the settings in the list format.

This is a long-standing bug in Word, going back to Word 97 at least. The situation has improved but it remains unresolved.

[Rebboc]

@ engine

Right click the list item number in the text and then select "Adjust list indents" from the drop dowm menu. Change the settings for the list so that they are the same as the paragraph style.

[PedanticM]

Originally Posted by Stefan Blom

Is there a reason why you resort to manual restarts even though you have set up an outline-numbered list? Normally, you should be able to let higher levels of the list restart lower ones.

I've had this problem so many times. I have a multilevel list set up, but every once in a while Word decides not to recognize the rules I've defined for it and yank my margin setting too far away if I dare to "restart."

I tried combing through my settings and "Adjust[ing] List Indents," but that doesn't seem to work. I'm a little hesitant to use the mock Lvl1 style because of how cantankerous this document has already been recognizing numbering restarts and continuations. The first time this happened to me, I had to start the document completely over. That is not an option this time.

Anyone else need a wall to bang your head against?

I've also noticed that if I try to adjust the indentation with the sliders in the tabs bar, the style will revert to wonky when I close and reopen the file. Now I've got six styles that all look the same but aren't associated with each other, so that'll be fun to come back to later.

[Stefan Blom]

For a multilevel list, always edit the settings (including indentation from the left) via the multilevel list dialog box. Click in the first level 1 item in the document and then click Home tab | Multilevel List | Define New Multilevel List (obviously, "Define New" is misleading, but that's the name of the command). For more on the options in the dialog, take a look at http://shaunakelly.com/word/numberin...g20072010.html (applies to Word 2007, 2010, and 2013).

[PedanticM]

I learned that concept from that exact link two years ago. Sometimes best practices just don't stick in files, and the best we can really do is work around the fail that is Microsoft UIs. That's why they pay me the "big" money; I train people in these things.

At least it isn't Dr.Explain again. That was a nightmare.

[Stefan Blom]

I learned that concept from that exact link two years ago. Sometimes best practices just don't stick in files, and the best we can really do is work around the fail that is Microsoft UIs. That's why they pay me the "big" money; I train people in these things.

Are you saying that your users should modify numbering or just apply it? Of course, the formatting will be easier to maintain if users just apply styles, which have already been defined properly.