Why would heading numbers not increment

[Jim T]

I usually do not number my level three headings, but I have to do so on this
report. I went to Heading 1 and modified the outline numbering to put
capital letters on the Level three outline. This level was already
associated with style Heading 3. When I applied Heading 3 style to a
paragraph, it seemed to work. But on the next try, the second paragraph also
showed an "A" instead of a "B." I eventually applied heading 3 style to
three consecutive paragraphs--All three are lettered "A"!!??

I tried replacing my normal template, copying and pasting all but the last
paragraph mark to a new document, and scowling.

This is a document I already had some trouble with and ended up selecting
all and clearing all formatting because paragraphs were beginning to grab
different styles for themselves. I have had this kind of bizarre behavior
before on files from this guy, but the numbering stuck on "A" is a new one.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

When you do this, you have to be sure that Headings 1 and 2 are part of the
"outline numbered" list even if they're not numbered, and that you have
"Restart numbering after" correctly set. See
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html