Word 2010 - list number style wont restart at 1

Anonymous
2013-01-29T15:06:46+00:00

I am using the default list numbering in a pretty basic but large (450 page) document.  No macros, no custom styles...I am simply using the default headers and the list numbering.

the trouble all started when i decided it would look better to left align the list numbering.  When I have done this type of thing with regular headers there has never been a problem.  You can easily apply new formatting and apply to the entire document. 

With the List Number style this didnt work.  I found online a suggestion of using the Set Numbering Value at 1 each time which I have been doing for over 2 weeks now but the lists keep reassigning the starting numbers arbitrarily so some lists start at 98 and others at 74 and on and on.  I keep changing them back to start at 1 but again they reset themselvs.

This is an instruction manual so there are alot of short lists (steps on what to do) within alot of sections.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-01-29T22:37:05+00:00

    See the article "How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in your Microsoft Word document" on the following page of the Late Shauna Kelly's website:

    http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

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  2. Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-01-29T22:38:55+00:00

    If this is a named list style, created via Home tab | Multilevel List | Define New List Style, then you can right-click the icon for the list style at Home tab | Multilevel List and choose Modify from the context menu. In the Modify Style dialog box, click Format, and then click Numbering. In the dialog box that opens, click the More button so that you can see all options. Verify that "Start at" is set to 1. Click OK to close dialog boxes. Does this improve the situation?

    If you are not using a multilevel list together with styles, you really should reformat the document. See Doug's reply.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-30T15:33:30+00:00

    Hello, thank you for your answer but it doesnt help me.  I am using 2010 and I am using, as stated in my post, the DEFAULT list numbering style.  I have not added this style.  its just the plain old default. 

    I cannot locate the More button to see all options but I followed your steps.

    From what i can see, since this is the default List Numbering Style that it does start with 1.

    One thing that I have found from another post is that Automate updating should be removed.  I am trying this now.  Still pullling my hair out.

    This is so basic.  Just using Header 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and List Numbers.  All default.  no custom styles.  the very ONLY thing I did was move the list numbering to be left aligned instead of indented and this mess was created.

    I hope you can help.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-30T15:58:53+00:00

    Hello Doug

    Thanks for the instructions but they are complicated.  I have such a simple list requirement and am at a point whereby I am about to just remove all numbering from this document.

    I am using the base List Numbering style.  Nothing at all fancy here.  Everytime I open the document it changes the numbering scheme throughout the entire document and I set them back to starting at 1 and it starts all over...sometimes the numbering is in the 200's and other times 4, 8 or whatever.  There is no reason for this to be happening that I can see.

    As this is a software guide which is converted to html online it is a crises for me.  I dislike Word so much I could scream!

    All i did was move the left margin over for the List Number style to better line up with the rest of the text and this mess was created. 

    Do you have any other suggestions on how to fix this?

    Does anyone offer a service to fix it for me?

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  5. Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-01-30T18:51:52+00:00

    You can't specify a default numbering scheme in Word. Which specific option did you choose?

    If you are using the List Number paragraph style, note that numbering will continue (through-out the document). Any restarts must be done manually.

    To change the indentation of any numbered list (in Word 2007 or later), click the actual list number; Word selects all list items. Right-click and choose Adjust List Indents from the context menu. See also http://wordfaqs.mvps.org/NumberAlignment2007.htm#NumberedLists.

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