This is maddening. I have numbered lists in different paragraphs and I DONT want them to continue the value from the prior list. I know I can restart at 1 with a right click, but it seems to change back.

Is there a best practice to always have new lists start at 1? I don't want to turn off auto number completely since I still need the number to increment WITHIN the same paragraph.



Thanks. Im freaking out.

Set your numbering up following these directions.
How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in Ribbon Versions of Word by Shauna Kelly



If you do not want a numbered paragraph to signal the restart of numbering, do not attach any number to style for the top level. Use of that top level will restart your numbering.