Numbering issue with tabs

[Carla]

I have a client with Word 2003. On my Word when I type a 1. then tab and type
my entry, then hit enter and when it types a 2. automatically I can tab and
it will become 2a. On the client's machine it does not do this. I check the
settings under tools and options and cannot find anything. Auto numbering in
the auto correct settings are the same as mine (turned on) and I couldn't
find anything under the numbering options. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

To get the functionality you seek, you must (at least) have two options
enabled, both on the AutoFormat As You Type tab of Tools | AutoCorrect
Options:

1. Automatic numbered lists

2. Set left- and first-indent with tabs and backspaces.

Since I don't use automatic numbered lists, I'm not sure whether you would
get an a or just an indented 1 this way; I would think that in order to get
a you would have to be using an outline-numbered list template.

 

[Margaret Aldis]

Hi Carla

Suzanne as ever gives good information, even when guessing <g>. If you have
the tab key setting indent, then when in a multi-level (aka "outline
numbered") list it "demotes" to the next list level. So for what you
describe to work you must have list formatting set up to produce that
numbering effect (second level set to a, b, c numbering, with the level 1
number also included).

Keeping list formats the same on different machines or even on different
occasions is notoriously difficult unless you use styles - but then you'll
need to forego the Automatic numbered lists and turn the numbering on with
the style. You might be able to get the client's machine to follow yours if
you first set up one list "by hand" to your list format (or paste a list
from your document and use Format > Bullets and Numbering) but it really is
hit and miss whether you can get the default list formatting for the
Automatic Numbering to be the one you want and I wouldn't even try - the
client will blame you whenever it stops working, which it surely will.

For more information on using outline numbered paragraph styles see
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html