Word 2010 Multilevel list - Numbers disappear

Anonymous
2013-02-18T18:03:37+00:00

I am using Word 2010 with Windows 7.

I have an 82 page document that has headings numbered with a multilevel list.  I use a defined styles for each level and have used outline functions to assign levels to each heading.  Once the style is set and levels assigned I have used the multilevel list to give each a number.  In numerous heading levels I had to set the number using the 'set numbering value'.

Once I completed the entire file I created a .pdf of the file and saved the file.  I also restricted the styles to just those used in the document.

When I open the file about half of the numbers are gone.

This has happened twice.

I really need help!

thanks.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-23T18:46:17+00:00

    Thanks, will do.

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  2. Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-06-23T18:33:46+00:00

    Treating the affected documents as corrupt is the best policy here.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-23T17:41:39+00:00

    Thanks for your reply, Stefan!

    "Automatically update document styles" is most certainly not enabled in the Templates and Add-Ins dialog box. I know this option quite well.

    The problem only occurs with some documents, not all.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-05-20T15:33:27+00:00

    This is how my woes started! The first time my numbers went poof, it was after I had PDFed my doc. Keeps happening, with closing/reopening, saving, printing, etc. - not every time, but every now and then. 

    The fix (for me) has been simple, if obnoxious since I keep having to do it whenever the numbers break: 

    1. Click somewhere that should have a number and doesn't
    2. Click the Multilevel List dropdown
    3. Right-click on the List Style in use and click on Modify from the right-click menu
    4. Click the Format button (lower left)
    5. Click Numbering
    6. Click Okay in the Modify Multilevel list window that appears, then again in the Modify Style window

    Numbering fixed.

    Not sure if it will work for you, but the whole process takes about 10 seconds whenever my numbers break. So irritating, like swatting a mosquito, but it fixes it. I usually save again, close and re-open whenever this happens to make sure, and in all my docs, I save, close and reopen before sending them out.

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  5. Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-05-19T23:46:34+00:00

    Thanks for the follow-up. As you wrote, this may be one issue or several issues put together.

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