WD98: Auto Numbering Changes by One After Pressing RETURN (182165)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q182165

SYMPTOMS

If you manually type a numbering scheme followed by text so that the "Automatic numbered lists" feature is invoked, the number you type automatically changes by one if numbering previous to this item was within plus or minus one to the item you just typed.

NOTE: To enable the "Automatic numbered lists" feature, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu, click the "AutoFormat As You Type" tab, and click to select the "Automatic numbered lists" check box.

CAUSE

This functionality is by design. After you type a number, AutoCorrect looks backward through the document for the closest numbered list. If it finds a numbered list where the last item in the list is numbered plus or minus one, from the number you just typed, Word will change the number you just typed so that it becomes the next item in the list.

This allows you to add an item to an existing list by guessing close to the correct number without needing to know the exact next number in the sequence.

WORKAROUND

To prevent the number from attaching to the previous list, press COMMAND+Z on the keyboard to undo the automatic formatting.

To adjust the numbering so that it creates a new numbering scheme, follow these steps:

  1. Position the insertion point on the line you want to number.
  2. On the Format menu, click Bullets And Numbering.
  3. Click the Numbered tab, and then click the numbering scheme you want.
  4. Click Customize.
  5. In the Start At box, adjust the starting number, and then make any other changes you want.
  6. Click OK.
You now have a second numbered list that is not connected to the first numbered list.

REFERENCES

For more information about numbered lists, click Contents And Index on the Help menu (or on the Balloon Help menu if you are using a version of the Macintosh operating system earlier than 8.0), click the Index button in Word Help, type the following text

numbering lists and outlines

and then click Show Topics. Select the "Interrupt a bulleted or numbered list" topic, and click Go To. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/4/2002
Keywords:kbnumbering kbprb KB182165
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.