Word outline numbering details

[Lina]

Hi!
I have read a lot about problems with numbered lists in Word. But I'm still
not sure if I got it all. And I got some questions about it. If someone could
take the time and answer them I would be most grateful. I have not a English
version of Word so I apologize if I do not use the right terms for things. My
questions are:

1. When you make a new style you can choose type of the style (the list box
under the name box) there you can choose between paragraph, character, table
and list. Is it so that I should never use the list type? I just wonder if I
got this right so is it so that I, even if I are making a style for a
numbered list shall use the option paragraph there? Should I never use the
list type and if so why? (I have discovered one problem when I use the list
type but I would like some more god arguments).

2. When you make a new style and has got to the style, numbering dialog you
can choose between the tabs bullet list, simple list, outline list and
liststyles. Is there any time you shold use the list styles, and then why and
when?

3. I have made some templates with numbered styles. It has happened two
times that users got problems with the look of those styles. What I
discovered is that if I on their computer starts word go to the format
numbering dialog and resets all numbering list galleries the style looks ok
again. I think that I have done the styles the right way, according to Shauna
Kellys advice and the document “The seven laws of words outline numberingâ€.
Is it me who have missed something when I created the styles or does this
problem occur when users apply own numbering in some document?

4. Simple lists - If I make a style "my simple list" and I set it up like a
simple list I can only set the indents and so on for one level. If I use this
style in my document and use tab (like you do in a outline numbered list to
move to the next level) it gives me a second level Why and hove can I master
this level. Or does this mean that I should always use outline numbered list
so that people by mistake can not use a format that is not allowed?

5.Shauna Kelly has wrote about “How to control bullets in Microsoft Wordâ€
and says that the best way is to use the built in List Bullet Styles. Is it
the same for numbered styles, that I would be better of to use the built in
List numbered styles? But then what is the difference between the built in
list Lista (in Swedish, I think it is numbered list in English) and the
style “Lista fortsättâ€(I don’t know the English term for this, something like
List continue). When I make numbered list I have made my own styles and then
I have made a numbered sheme and link the levels of that to my styles. But is
it better to use these built in liststyles?

Best regards Lina

 

[Stefan Blom]

1. I'd use paragraph styles and link them to numbering as explained at
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html.

2. You are never forced to use list styles; I'd settle for paragraph
styles linked to numbering.

3. After you've attached numbering to styles, you should avoid the
Bullets and Numbering dialog box; instead, apply the appropriate style
to text. If it is an outline-numbered list, you can use
Alt+Shift+Left/Right arrow to promote and demote list items.

4. Well, if several levels are required, use an outline-numbered list to
get control over the numbering. Note also that you can restore the
settings of a style (including numbering) by pressing Ctrl+Q.

5. List Number, List Number 2, etc. can certainly be used in an
outline-numbered list. Define its numbering just as you would do with
headings (again, see
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html). Lista
Fortsätt (List Continue) is intended for unnumbered text between
numbered items.

I hope this answers (most of) your questions. If you want additional
information, please post back.

--
Hälsningar
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message

 

[Lina]

Hi, thank you for taking time to replay on my questions.
About my third question I wonder if you could explain a little bit more.

I have made some templates with styles for numbered and bulleted lists. They
seem to work okay but it has happened that the numbered/bulleted lists does
not look like they should according to indents etc on some computers, even if
the user uses the styles I made. On those computers I have started word and
reset all list galleries in the numbering dialog and after that the lists
looks ok. What can have happened? If a user goes in to the numbering dialog
and does something with the same listgallery that I use in my styles will
this affect my style then even if the user did the changes in another
document that was not based on my style? What shall I do if I will be sure of
that lists that are done with my styles should always look the same no matter
what the user has done before? (I think I have done the styles the proper
Shauna Kelly way according to the rabbit hole and so on.)
Many Thanks!

 

[Stefan Blom]

If a user tries to modify numbering via the Bullets and Numbering dialog
box, it might very well affect the numbered style (and its underlying
numbering scheme/list template), assuming that the insertion point is
inside a paragraph where that style is applied. Therefore, it is crucial
that users don't try to modify numbering directly; make sure they just
apply it to text--by applying the appropriate style.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message

 

[Lina]

Thanks! Now I know what to say if it happens again.

 

[Stefan Blom]

You are welcome.

If you need more, see the following article:

Word's numbering explained
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Numbering/WordsNumberingExplained.htm

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message