Word 2007 Simple (Or not so simple) List Numbering

[Greg Maxey]

Despite hope for the better, I find list numbering in Word 2007 as
frustrating as any previous version. I experimented with it today and here
are my observations and questions:

I typed 10 or 12 lines of text in normal style. I selected the first four
lines, clicked the numbering icon in the Paragraph group and selected one of
the Number Library formats. The four lines where numbered 1 through 4
correctly and the style was changed to List Paragraph. I don't really
understand that part but maybe ignorance is bliss in this case.

I skipped a few lines and then selected 4 more lines of text. Then I used
the numbering icon to apply the same numbering format. To my utter glee the
paragraphs where numbered 1 through 4 as I would intuitively expect.

Now the first problem. I put the cursor in the first paragraph of the
second list and clicked "Set numbering value" in the Numbering Library
gallery. I then choose "Continue from previous list" then "OK." Nothing
happened. I would expect those four paragraphs in the second list to be
renumbered 5 through 8. Nothing I could do would cause those lines to
renumber as a continuation from the previous list.

I started again with the 12 lines of unnumbered text. I applied List Number
style to the first four lines (they numbered 1 though 4), skipped a few
lines and applied List Number style to four more lines. They numbered 5
through 8. I put the cursor in the paragraph numbered "5" and then with the
numbering icon, set numbering value, start new list, clicked OK and nothing
happened. I notice that "start new list" is the default option but the "set
value to" read "5." That doesn't make much sense as most new list would
start with "1" I would think. So I tried again to start new list and this
time I put a "1" in the set to value. Eureka!! The second list was
renumbered 1 through 4.

Now the second problem. If I delete the first paragraph of the second list
the remaining three lines are not renumbered 1 through 3 but 5 through 7.
This is clearly broken IMHO.



While it appears the MS went to some effort to simplify simple list
numbering the process seems to still be clearly broken. I will try to keep
an open mind and hopefully someone will be along to enlighten me on what I
did wrong to make this process appear to be as broken as ever. Thanks.

 

[Greg Maxey]

Some progress. I apply a style other than normal to the lines of text.
Select the first four lines and apply a Numbering scheme using the numbering
icon,
skip a few lines and select a few more lines and apply the same Numbering
scheme. A little lightning bolt icon (I forget what it is called) appears
adjacent to the second list. With this icon you can toggle the list to
restart at 1 or continue from previous list.

However, once you modify the list (e.g., delete and item or add an item),
that icon disappears and I don't see a way to get it back.

 

[Greg Maxey]

This is interesting.

Apply a style other than Normal to a list of paragraphs.
Select a few and apply a numbering format using the numbering icon in the
paragraph group
Skip a few
Select a few more and apply the same numbering format
You have two separately numbered list. A good thing. I think.

You have an smart icon that gives you the option to start new list (default)
or continue numbering. You have this until you edit the list (add or delete
and item)

Put cursor in first item of second numbered list.
Numbering Icon>Set Numbering Value>Continue from previous list. Does
nothing. Seems like a bad thing. I think

With cursor in first item of second list
Numbering Icon>Set Numbering Value>Start new list. Set value to what the
first number of the second list should be.
Second list is renumbered and appears to be a continuation of the previous
list. A good thing. I think.

Here it gets freaky in a good way. I think.

Delete or add an item to the first list. The second list updates exactly as
if it were a continuation of the previous list (not a new list as the
actions taken should indicate).

So far the command "Continue from previous list" by itself seems as usesless
as the (well no point going there).

When it is checked, it enables an option to "Advance value" (skip numbers).
This doesn't seem to skip numbers, it just inserts empty numbered paragraphs
in the list.

I know I am rambling. Just posting observations.