numbering long lists

[Alan]

Hi Tammy:

The good news is your question is clear, and in fact it
comes up from time to time. Unfortunately, as I recall
nobody has come up with a really easy way to do that.

You could go to http://groups.google.com
and search for something like
Microsoft Word numbering ab ac -- or ab) ac) ?

and see what kind of threads come up. There are various
workarounds, such as using a style whereby in aa, ab, ac,
the first letter is hard-coded, and the other letter is
the "automatic" part -- then you need a separate style for
ba, bb, bc etc. -- really too much trouble, especially if
you later delete the 17th item from the list.

And there are various solutions using field codes.

I've given this matter some thought over time and please
forgive me, this is my opinion -- and it's your document --
but I would try to use numerals for such a long list
instead, if at all possible. It's easier for you, and
something like item 125) is probably clearer to your
audience.

 

[Tammy]

Alan:

Thanks for your help. I didn't think it was possible,
because I tried everything, but was hoping it would.

Thanks again.

Tammy

 

[Alan]

Hi Tammy:

Just one more thought, I don't know if this was posted by
anyone else --

Perhaps the closest you can come with a workaround: using
Heading 3 and then a combination of Headings 4 and 5.

Define Heading 4 as red and hidden font, 0 pts before and
after.

Then you go in and set up your levels (via modifying
Heading 1):

Heading 3 is a)
Heading 4 is a
Heading 5 uses "Previous level number" Level 4, and then a
Number style a, b, c... and a typed )

Now back in the document, after the "z" of Heading 3, you
do one paragraph of Heading 4, and then a series of
Heading 5's.

Each time you reach "z" you put in a Heading 4 and then 26
more Heading 5's.

The drawback is that it's not automatic when you add or
delete items to the middle of the list. You'd have to
search forward for each Heading 4, and do some
manipulations there.