Cross References to Outline Elements Fails

[Hotsauce]

Hi - I have this problem that come up repeatedly. I create a custom outline
by taking the standard 1.1.1.1... outline schema and prepending some letters
to form EL1, EL1.1, EL1.1.1, etc. This document then becomes a template that
is used in numerous other documents. The problem is that about half the time,
Clicking on Insert->Cross-Reference and in the "Reference Type" box selecting
"Numbered Item", the insert just produces a "0" for the top level of the
outline only. The other levels seem to work OK, i.e., if I try to insert the
paragraph number for the outline element EL1.1, it actually inserts EL1.1.
however if I try to insert the Paragraph Number for the top level, i.e.,
"EL1" then it inserts a "0". This behaviour has cost me a TON of time and I
would sure like to understand what is causing it and how to fix it. Any
assistance would be most deeply appreciated.

 

[Stefan Blom]

Have you tried to recreate numbering for level one by clearing it
(in the Customize Outline Numbered List dialog box), and then
reinsert a number style and retype the static text?

For general information about outline numbering in Word, please
see:
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

 

[Hotsauce]

HI Stefan

Thanks for the reply. Yes... in those documents where this problem persists
I have tried clearing all custom formatting and re-doing the format. I have
even tried to use a different outline schema as the starting point. I have
also read and reread Shauna's excellent work. It seems that once this
problem occurrs in a document the symptom becomes very sticky and nothing I
have tried makes it go away. The only solution I have found so far is to
start the document over again from scratch, which usually trashes hours and
hours of previous work. I can also reproduce the problem on the three other
computers that are available to me so its probably not a registry or Word dll
problem. My guess is that it is something in the document that has something
to do with outlines and the cascading style sheets associated with them.
Perhaps a corruption in the .dot file???

 

[Stefan Blom]

For more about fixing (possibly) corrupt documents and templates,
please see: http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm