List Numbering Set Numbering Value shows missing numbers as hidden text

lostenfeld · #1 12-18-2016, 05:11 PM

We have searched google as well as this forum and can’t find anything on this issue.

We are having a problem with List Numbering in Word (Microsoft Professional Plus 2013, 32 bit) whereby setting a number value, in order to skip numbers, actually brings up all of those missing numbers but applies hidden text. We do not have the option of turning off hidden text in our environment as it needs to be shown for various reasons.
The set number value issue doesn’t happen in our templates that use heading style numbering so it just an issue limited to list numbering. This wasn’t an issue in previous versions of Word and we can’t work out what has changed.
Attached is a copy of a document containing our list numbering styles – just in case that is the problem – and another document containing screen captures.
We understand it may be a new feature but if it is not, we hope someone can tell us what we have done wrong with our numbering.

Stefan Blom · #2 12-20-2016, 06:43 PM

What you are describing is how Word's "Advance value (skip numbers)" option in the Set Numbering Value dialog box works.

Alternatively, you can choose "Start a new list" in that same dialog box and type in the starting value you want for the new list.

lostenfeld · #3 12-20-2016, 06:50 PM

Thanks for your response Stefan. Unfortunately the start new list is greyed out for some reason. I can only select the tick box for "Advance value (skip numbers)", or "set value to:", both the "start new list" and "continue from previous list" are greyed out. I do not know if it is a Word option I have set incorrectly but I cannot find it if it is.

Stefan Blom · #4 12-21-2016, 04:33 AM

I see what you mean. For some reason, the "Start new list" option is unavailable. I worked around it by applying an unnumbered style (with a hanging indent) and inserting a LISTNUM field which restarts the numbering. See attachment.

Guessed · #5 12-21-2016, 05:05 AM

This is not something I've dabbled with before but I am getting the same behaviour as you in Word 2013 and don't know if it was different in earlier versions.

In any case, perhaps you need to use a macro to create a new ListTemplate each time you need to jump.

Code:

Sub Macro3()
  Dim aLT As ListTemplate
  Set aLT = ActiveDocument.ListTemplates.Add(OutlineNumbered:=True)
  With aLT.ListLevels(1)
    .NumberFormat = "%1."
    .TrailingCharacter = wdTrailingTab
    .NumberStyle = wdListNumberStyleArabic
    .NumberPosition = CentimetersToPoints(0)
    .Alignment = wdListLevelAlignLeft
    .TextPosition = CentimetersToPoints(1)
    .TabPosition = CentimetersToPoints(1)
    .ResetOnHigher = 0
    .StartAt = InputBox("Start where?", "Re-Start Me Up", 9)
    .LinkedStyle = ""
  End With
  Selection.Range.ListFormat.ApplyListTemplateWithLevel ListTemplate:=aLT, _
      ContinuePreviousList:=False, ApplyTo:=wdListApplyToThisPointForward, _
      DefaultListBehavior:=wdWord10ListBehavior
End Sub

Once you have done this to a list, if you want to add a second break, press Ctrl-Q to reset the paragraph(s) and then run the macro again.

lostenfeld · #6 12-21-2016, 03:55 PM

Thank you, both the LISTNUM and macro are very good options. I just tried the LISTNUM and it works perfectly.

Stefan Blom · #7 12-21-2016, 04:14 PM

I should add that the LISTNUM example I posted is based on the assumption that you don't have any "intervening" lists. If you do have more than one list, the simple solution I suggested will not work.

freda0255 · #8 01-02-2017, 06:33 PM

I noticed that in the sample document the numbering scheme uses a List Number style (Multilevel List, Define New List Style) as opposed to a MultiLevel List (Multilevel List, Define New MultiLevel List).

In my testing, the problem you're experiencing does not occur with a Multi-Level List ("MLL").

Based on the name of your styles, I'm guessing you are in legal; so am I. In the case of your sample document the "package" is called "M&ANumbering."

Stefan's workaround was also successful for me. However, I have another solution that you might find useful:

1. Open your sample document.
2. Go to the Developer tab, click Document Template, Organizer.
3. On the left, scroll to "M&A Numbering", click Delete; click "Yes"; click Close
4. Select your list, press Ctrl+Q
5. Right-Click on number 4; set number value to 9

Basically, what we've done here is convert the list number style to a MLL.
Is this how you expected the list to work?

lostenfeld · #9 01-02-2017, 09:31 PM

Thank you so much - that is exactly what I needed to happen - I had no idea I had set up my numbering incorrectly.
I am about to start a new project redoing our templates so I will ensure I set up the future numbering correctly.

Stefan Blom · #10 01-03-2017, 04:27 PM

Note that list styles also make use of multilevel list formatting. In the Modify Style dialog box for a list style, you can access its nine numbering levels via the Format button (click Format | Numbering).

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