Numbers with negative indents jump to the right (Word 2003 and 200

[Jonny S]

I have created a document template with numbered headings with negative
indents. This is so the numbers sit out in the left margin but the text
lines up with regular un-numbered paragraphs.

THE PROBLEM: When you click ON a number in a numbered item, especially the
first in the list (or double click on it), all the numbered items jump to the
right. How do I stop this?

The problem is reproducible in any blank Word document using the steps below

1) Create a new blank word document (Word 2003 or Word 2007)
Word 2007 - Define a New Multilevel List or Word 2003 – Format Bullets &
Numbering…>Outline Numbered, Customize one of the styles

2) For, Level 1, (Number) “Position†“Aligned at†(say) -2cm and “Text
Indent At†0cm. OK

3) Make some numbered items in the document. You should now have the
numbers negative indented in the left margin, and the text aligned to the
page margin (in line with non-numbered paragraphs).

4) Now double click (or sometimes just single click) on one of those numbers
– and everything jumps to the right. (Try it on the first number in the
numbered list).

How do I stop this happening?

I have tried switching off any autocorrect/autoformat option to do with
lists. I’ve tried defining styles and protecting the document to restrict to
styles. The numbering tyle seems to re-define the settings all by itself -
i.e. "Aligned at" changes from -2cm to 0cm and "Text indent" changes from 0cm
to 2cm. The action is visible in the Edit Undo menu.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Graham Mayor]

My guess is that you have the autoformat as you type settings configured to
apply list styles. Uncheck the relevant options.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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[Peter T. Daniels]

Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this!" Doctor: "Don't do this!"

 

[Jonny S]

Thanks. I had already tried that in the problem remains.

(I have switched OFF:
Tools>Autocorrect Options...>
Autoformat as you type> the last 8 options available (including
Automatic Numbered Lists), and
Autoformat> the first 4 options (inc Apply List styles))

Is there some other setting to stop Word redefining list formatting?

The problem exists in a template that will be used by lots of people. Any
constructive suggestions anyone?
Thanks

 

[Stefan Blom]

I suspect that you shouldn't specify negative indents when dealing with
outline-numbered lists, although this is possible if you type in the values
(note that you cannot use the arrows to set negative values). Instead, use
the instructions at
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html to define the
indentation for the different list levels.