multilevel list style, one or many

[cayce]

A multilevel list style has 9 levels. You can define all 9 levels in that one
list style, then link level to style of 9 different paragraph styles. This is
a one-to-many relationship.

You could also define 9 different multilevel list styles, "using" only one
of the levels, link level to style of the one defined to one of the 9
paragraph styles. This is a one-to-one relationship.

Does Autonumbering stability improve in the one-to-one relationship over the
one-to-many relationship? This will end up in a .dotx file for many users.
User's would be coached to apply styles of the level they need. It’ll require
more design work up front, but if it keeps autonumbering from breaking, it
might be worth it.

Real-world experience is welcomed!

thanks

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

A third alternative is to link all nine styles to a given level of a
multilevel list without creating a list style. Although I have been told
that a list style is the way to go, I don't seem to have any problem just
creating a multilevel list linked to styles as in previous versions.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[cayce]

Thanks Suzanne but I want the ability to make edits as they inevitably will
be needed. Also, isn't it possible that the user's multilevel gallery
settings might be different from the one I develop from, and so this then
introduces the potential of documents spawned from the .dotx or .docm varying
from user machine to user machine? These are unspophsticated Word user's who
will be working from these templates.

If anyone out there has experience with the question I pose, I'd sure like
to hear from you.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

When you create a multilevel list in a template, linked to styles in that
template, then users will be using those styles with the defined numbering.
Applying the given style will apply the desired numbering. There will be no
need to visit the multilevel list gallery. But if they do, the list you have
defined should be displayed. I guess I don't understand your question or
your concerns.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[cayce]

Suzanne..thanks for the follow up. I thought that the multilevel list could
vary from machine to machine, but as I read your response, I realize now that
I was not thinking through properly. Thanks for setting me straight!

Bottom line, I am searching for autonumbering stability since the template I
design will affect many folks. This spurred my one-to-one or one-to-many
question. AND...maybe my hypervigilance is making this more complicated than
it needs to be. Feel free to tell me to chill if I'm stepping too close to
the edge.

Namaste

 

[Pamelia Caswell via OfficeKB.com]

The biggest draw back of the one-to-one method is that you lose the restart
after feature. Many users would regard it as a broken list.

I would use the one-to-one method only if I wanted to be sure that tab and
indent could not be used to promote and demote the numbering/heading levels.
Many of my clients still make their own bullet paragraph styles for that
reason. Each of the nine levels of Word's built-in list, list bullet, list
number and list continue styles is a separate multilevel list with just one
level used.

Changeable heading and numbering levels is a sometimes necessary convenience
during writing and review. Many users like to do this by using tab or indent
(though I have nearly all autocorrect options turned off and prefer to apply
the style I want), and they expect Word to readjust the numbering
automatically. So, the one-to-many method would be better for them.

Pam

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

It's true that some of the numbering settings reside in the Windows Registry
(the List Gallery Presets key), but AFAIK, when you associate numbering with
a style, it will travel with the template and with a document based on the
template (even if the template is not present).

I don't use outline lists much, but when I do, setting them up according to
Shauna's instructions, I find them rock-solid and unbreakable.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Stefan Blom]

As far as I can tell, the advantage of list styles is primarily that they
make it a little easier to modify the numbering. Whether list styles
contribute to numbering stability is something that we will learn in the
future, I guess...

 

[cayce]

Valid points Pamela. Thanks!

The biggest draw back of the one-to-one method is that you lose the restart
after feature. Many users would regard it as a broken list.

I would use the one-to-one method only if I wanted to be sure that tab and
indent could not be used to promote and demote the numbering/heading levels.
Many of my clients still make their own bullet paragraph styles for that
reason. Each of the nine levels of Word's built-in list, list bullet, list
number and list continue styles is a separate multilevel list with just one
level used.

Changeable heading and numbering levels is a sometimes necessary convenience
during writing and review. Many users like to do this by using tab or indent
(though I have nearly all autocorrect options turned off and prefer to apply
the style I want), and they expect Word to readjust the numbering
automatically. So, the one-to-many method would be better for them.

Pam

 

[Stefan Blom]

The biggest draw back of the one-to-one method is that you lose the

restart
after feature. Many users would regard it as a broken list.

Rather than a broken list, I'd call it a collection of separate unrelated
lists, which of course is what it is.

 

[Pamelia Caswell via OfficeKB.com]

That is true, and that's why I wrote that many users would "regard it as"
broken.

 

[Stefan Blom]

Too subtle for me.