How to make dichotomous key with Word

[Andy_M]

Does anyone know of a way to make dichotomous keys using the automatic
numbering of Word rather than doing it all manually (which is labor
intensive). If you're not familiar with dichotomous keys, they are
what is used in floras, faunas, etc. for determining the identity of a
particular organism, and they can also apply to other fields. They are
like an outline version of a choose your own adventure book. Here is a
simple example:

1. Plant purple..........Plantus purplius
1' Plant green...........2
2. Flowers tubular, yellow........3
3. Leaves simple..........Plantus simplius
3' Leaves compound....Plantus compoundus
2' Flowers 2-lipped, red........4
4. Stem spiny..........Plantus spinius
4' Stem smooth..........5
5. Plant named Bob.........Plantus bob
5' Plant named Ned.........Plantus ned

This is just a simple example of a key, but even this is beyond the
capability of the numbering in Word, unless anyone has a suggestion.
These keys get very difficult to number, and especially to edit
numbering after it is built, when they get fairly long. I know that
this isn't a particularly common problem, but I bet someone has come
across this question before. Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Elliott Roper]

Does anyone know of a way to make dichotomous keys using the automatic
numbering of Word rather than doing it all manually (which is labor
intensive). If you're not familiar with dichotomous keys, they are
what is used in floras, faunas, etc. for determining the identity of a
particular organism, and they can also apply to other fields. They are
like an outline version of a choose your own adventure book. Here is a
simple example:

1. Plant purple..........Plantus purplius
1' Plant green...........2
2. Flowers tubular, yellow........3
3. Leaves simple..........Plantus simplius
3' Leaves compound....Plantus compoundus
2' Flowers 2-lipped, red........4
4. Stem spiny..........Plantus spinius
4' Stem smooth..........5
5. Plant named Bob.........Plantus bob
5' Plant named Ned.........Plantus ned

This is just a simple example of a key, but even this is beyond the
capability of the numbering in Word, unless anyone has a suggestion.
These keys get very difficult to number, and especially to edit
numbering after it is built, when they get fairly long. I know that
this isn't a particularly common problem, but I bet someone has come
across this question before. Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

After misreading the question as dicotyledonous (wordus userus simplius
- that's me) it occurred to me that it might be possible with old
fashioned field numbering. You will need to put a bit of effort into
setting it up.
Try asking on microsoft.public.word.numbering. If it can be done, that
scary (numberus profundus) lot will know how. Also, work your way
through Shauna Kelly's and John McGhie's articles on the MVP site
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Numbering.htm