I have the same problems in Word 2007 (and the "start numbering over" command does NOT work. Not ever. Click it all you like. Change the numbering value and watch Word laugh at you.) However, when I searched help for a way to turn off autoformatting, I learned that this version of Word doesn't have it.



So then what?

I feel for you. I am also aware, that when that happens, there is something that has been over looked, but finding specific things in microsoft packages is not that easy.

I am using Word 2011, so it is likely to be different. Unfortunately I am learning that as Microsoft Office is industry standard, as an engineering student, there is no alternative but to use it. Open office unfortunately does not contain some of the stuff I need just to read my assignments.

If however you are just using this as a word processor without having to do any maths, open office is a very viable alternative that behaves in a more reasonable manor.

The only other alternative, the one I am going to have to take, is to actually learn the package. It will only ever stand you in good stead in the future.

I doubt this helps you at all, but it is nice to get it off my chest.

Regards and good luck

Jonny

That's just plain nonsense!

Go to Word Options|Proofing > AutoCorrect Options and you'll find it on one of the tabs there.

Had you bothered to use Word's help function (simply press F1) and look for 'AutoCorrect' you'd have found it in an instant.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

I ran across this after searching for another posting of mine. (Paul? Do you still work there? You're pretty rude.)

I have no way of confirming that my findings when I (yes) pressed F1 and consulted help - I'm several versions past that one now.

Nevertheless, let's bring up my other, possibly more salient point, which is that Word's renumbering function doesn't work. It hasn't worked since 1992 when I began using the software (were you born yet, Paul?). The Microsoft Word team carries that bug over from one version to the next, and never addresses it. I periodically bring it up on this forum and to Microsoft employees just for grins. I'm now on version 2016, and it's still broken. I've had probably over a dozen updated versions and 27 years of grins!

I'm not talking about renumbering first level numbers - that works. I'm talking SECOND level numbers. If you have several sections in a document, each of which requires a numbered list, you CAN change subsequent lists to "Restart at 1." However, if you have a sub-list of a, b, c, d under a primary list of 1, 2, 3, you CANNOT renumber to "a" in any subsequent lists because the "Restart at a" function hasn't worked at least since 1992. Neither does the function where you display the Numbering Library dialog and replace "e" (or whatever) with "a."

The only solution is to delete the "a" in the numbered sub-list item and TYPE "a" (you're manually numbering this item, in other words) then press Tab. Then you have to reposition the list item to the correct indentation. Then you can press Enter, and the next item will automatically be "b," etc., if you're set to auto-format You have to go through these steps each time you have a subsequent sub-section.

Paul does not work for Microsoft. Neither do I. This forum is not hosted by Microsoft. We are both volunteers, your fellow users, trying to help you. We both can be blunt at times. He was not being rude, in my opinion. He was telling you like it is. Both he and I were doing computer work before Microsoft was a company.

You, on the other hand, are coming across as both arrogant and condescending. I expect that is not your intention.

Word is not easy if you are trying to do something more than write a simple letter or report. (And, the free WordPad would be quite adequate for that purpose.) If you are going to use it and not feel like it is sabotaging you, you need to spend time learning how it works. I don't mean necessarily taking a course in it. In my last post, I gave you a good starting point.

Word is an incredibly powerful computer program. With that power has come complexity. Microsoft has added features to it left and right over the years. They do not necessarily work together in a way that makes sense to the user.

My wife has a new car. I can drive it fine. It is, however, different from what I am used to driving. I will not try to adjust the radio (other than to turn it off) while I drive it because I haven't learned the controls that are second-nature to her. If I want to do more than drive to the grocery store, I am going to have to learn how it works. For now, I just drive my own car.

You are in the position of not just wanting to adjust the radio/bluetooth, but add an accessory. You need to look at the manual.

A Microsoft employee is unlikely to tell you these things. They don't think anyone needs a manual. They are wrong.

I suggest you pull your head in and learn how to use Word. Keep up with this attitude and you'll find your account here terminated.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]