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Old 05-04-2018, 10:44 AM
adobeman adobeman is offline Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Mac OS X Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Office 2016 for Mac
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Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs
 
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Default Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs

I'm using Word 2016 for Mac. My issue is trying to figure out how to consistently duplicate each paragraph in this document (it is a legal document with every paragraph requiring a number) so that every paragraph is formatted basically the same.



For example, let's say there is 10 paragraphs in this legal document. Each paragraph is numbered 1 through 10, like this:

1. This is paragraph one.
2. This is the second paragraph.
3. And this is the third paragraph, etc.

The problem I'm having is that I cannot keep this "style" of paragraphs consistent. What I want to do is this: after each number of the paragraph, I want about two tab spaces before I start my first word of the paragraph, like this:

1. This is the first paragraph.
2. This is the second paragraph.
3. This would be the third paragraph.

What happens is that the paragraphs are, seeming by default, appearing like my first example above: the number of the paragraph and then the first word begins after only a few spaces.

I have tried to solve this in the "Styles Pane" selections by choosing the right style and even modifying one of these styles to duplicate what I want to do in each paragraph, but all in vain. Nothing seems to work.

If I try to hit the "tab" key twice after the number of the next paragraph appears, the entire formatting is screwed up.

This has swallowed up hours and hours of my time and I'm no closer to figuring out the solution. Any help would be appreciated.
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Old 05-04-2018, 07:13 PM
Charles Kenyon Charles Kenyon is offline Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Windows 10 Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Office 2013
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I do not have a Mac and am writing from my experiences with the Windows version. That version is similar, but the two are not the same. While I used Word on a Mac, that was a long time ago. I am a lawyer. Nevertheless, I hope that I can be of some help.

Automatic numbering, in every version of Word, is best handled using the steps shown in the following page. How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in Ribbon Versions of Word by Shauna Kelly

The controls on the Mac may be a bit different, but the basic steps are the same. The document structure is the same.

You should adjust the spacing after the number in the numbering dialog while you are setting up the numbering. You should adjust your tab settings in the style definitions but this is separate from the set up of the numbering.

Setting up your numbering using any method other than that specified, with your requirements, will eat up not hours but months of your time if you last that long.

How to attach a screenshot or file in this forum.

A good grasp of Styles is vital. Understanding Styles in Microsoft Word
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Old 05-04-2018, 07:36 PM
adobeman adobeman is offline Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Mac OS X Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Office 2016 for Mac
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Thanks, Charles, for the information. Coincidentally, the document that I am trying to perfect is an Amended Complaint for a District Court Case I am working on as a pro se. And as a lawyer, you are only too familiar with the myriad of rules the courts demand when submitting documents.

I looked at the information on the link you provided by Shuana Kelly. It is so comprehensive it made my eyes glaze over; in other words, far too much information to be helpful.

What I ended up doing is working with the ruler tabs. It is not fast going, but it got the job done. What I want to do is end up modifying or creating my own "list style" as that article talks about, but again, plowing through all that information in the article is too much at this point.

Again, thanks for the information and I appreciate the input.
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Old 05-05-2018, 03:57 AM
Charles Kenyon Charles Kenyon is offline Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Windows 10 Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Office 2013
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I agree that it is a lot to go through. Do it step-by-step.

If you do not take the time to follow Shauna's directions, you are asking for pain. You do not want a "list style" but rather a style attached to a list format.
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Old 05-05-2018, 10:39 AM
adobeman adobeman is offline Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Mac OS X Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Office 2016 for Mac
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Charles:

Perhaps I can impose upon you again. As I mentioned in my initial thread, my pressing concern was the formatting of certain numbered paragraphs. These are the numbered paragraphs in my Complaint and now my Amended Complaint to District Court.

Here is my question: How would I modify and/or create an existing or new style attached to list format that would perform the following functions:

1. Each paragraph to be numbered consecutively.
2. Indent the first line of each paragraph so that the first letter of the first word in the first line begins at the 1" mark on the ruler.
3. The second and subsequent lines to "hug" the left margin; in other words, the second and subsequent lines in the paragraphs to contain no indentation.
4. Lines must be double spaced and 13 pt in Times New Roman.

I tried to create a new Style Pane, the same kind as the ones that prominently appear at the top right of the Home screen. I named it but then could not locate in anywhere amongst the other Style Panes.

I know you are busy, being an attorney, but this would save the day for me. I appreciate your help. When I have time, I will hope to plow through the information in the link you provided me by Shauna.
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Old 05-05-2018, 12:11 PM
Charles Kenyon Charles Kenyon is offline Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Windows 10 Having problem with formatting consistent paragraphs Office 2013
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As pointed out in that lengthy article, you start handling numbering in the MultiLevel List dialog.

You can create some new styles to use first if you want, but all of the characteristics you are asking for come through that dialog. You can attach your numbering to your styles.

Start plowing! I can't put it better than she did and would risk getting it wrong.
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