auto numbering

[RPMitchal]

Is there a way to incorporate more than one auto numbering configuration
within the same document? Some of the principals with whom I work can get
rather "creative" with regard to their outline setups.

I was hoping that by perhaps entering a section or page break that an
alternate or additional auto numbering configuration could be incorported
from the section break forward.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Angel Bivins]

RPMitchal,
Yes, you can incorporate more than one outline numbered style in one
document. No section break needed.
I'm not sure I'd encourage it - but if you must, create a new style, based
on "None" and give it a name like Tomheading1 or something, and assign the
numbering style of your choice. Be advised that you will not be able to use
many built in features that use Heading 1 thru 8, etc.
First, read this:
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Numbering/WordsNumberingExplained.htm

 

[RPMitchal]

Word 2003

Angel:

Thanks so very much for your timely response and for furnishing the
applicable link. Trust me, having more than one numbering style within a
given document is not something I would ordinarily want to do. However, some
of the bizarre numbering requests that I receive transcend even the ability
to use all 9 levels offered in an ordinary numbering setup.

Perhaps you won't mind my asking an additional question along this same
line.

Why is it that once one sets up a particular numbering style and for one
reason or another has to return to the bullets and numbering set-up (the
eight panels for setting up a numbering layout), more than one of the panels
appears to reflect the current numbering setup.

How does one make the determination as to which of the panels reflects the
current numbering set-up under which one is working?

This is an additional numbering situation that I have yet to understand.

Thanking you in advance, I remain...

Sincerely yours

Rod

 

[Angel Bivins]

Rod,
The first time you set up your new Numbering style, just choose the picture
that looks similiar to what you want. After that -Ignore those dangerous
examples (never click on them again!), just you go and click on Customize and
change your settings. Word will apply those settings to the Name you assign
it.
"Sometimes the Why doesn't matter"

 

[RPMitchal]

Angel:

I agree completely. Sometimes the "why" just doesn't matter. However,
let's say that there are two panels that match the numbering set-up that one
is currently using. Does it matter which of those two examples one modifies
in order to apply the desired modifications?

Once again, thanks so very much for your assistance in this regard and for
your timely response(s). This online community has helped saved my sanity in
many a given instance.

Rod

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

The general rule is never to change from the pane that is selected when you
enter the Bullets and Numbering dialog. Note, however, that (a) you should
always do this through Modify Style (not for a single paragraph) and (b) you
should always go through the Level 1 style. See
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html for more on
these principles.

 

[RPMitchal]

Suzanne:

Thanks so much - once again. I will take your words of wisdom to heart in
this regard.

Rod

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Rereading that answer, I see that "never change from the pane that is
selected" could be misread. What I mean is, when you open the Bullets and
Numbering dialog, one of the List Gallery panes will be selected. Leave that
pane selected when you click Customize; don't choose another one. But if the
numbering in the pane begins with your Level 2 or below, back out and start
again from the highest level to make sure that you're customizing the
correct and entire list.

 

[RPMitchal]

Suzanne:

Thaks so much for the follow-up.

It continues to remain a mystery to me that Word's numbering system is so
convoluted. I have worked with third party add-ins that have addressed
Word's auto numbering in a decidedly better manner than has Microsoft.

One would think that Microsoft would take some steps towards addressing some
of the numbering issues, as it seems to me that I'm not the only individual
that finds the numbering setup within Word to be rather cumbersome.

You're among the very best - thanks again.

Rod

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I agree that Word's numbering is a mystery. What I have found, though, is
that if I adhere strictly to the principles laid down in Shauna's article, I
never have a problem with outline numbering. And in Word 2003, I find that I
can restart style-based simple lists pretty reliably.

The main principle is to avoid using the Numbering button to apply numbering
to a style that does not have numbering defined as part of the style because
the Numbering button is like that proverbial box of chocolates: you never
know what you're gonna get. More accurately, you never know what someone
else will get. As I understand it, the button applies whatever numbering
style is currently selected as the default in the List Gallery, and this may
vary from one machine to another, so you might send someone a document with
1, 2, 3 numbering, and it might come up on the recipient's machine as a, b,
c or something even weirder.