WD97: Auto Numbering Changes by One After You Press ENTER (165301)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q165301

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 CTRL+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 the Office Assistant, type "numbered lists," click Search, and then click to view one of the topics.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbnumbering kbprb KB165301
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