WD97: List Item Format Is Not Carried to the Next List Item (258947)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q258947

SYMPTOMS

When you apply formatting to a portion of a list item, Word may not apply identical formatting to the second and consecutive items in the list.

For example, in the following list, the first sentence of the first list item is bold, and the second sentence is italicized. When you press ENTER and type the next list item, the first sentence of the list item is bold, but the second sentence is not italicized:
  1. This is bold. This is italic.
  2. This is bold. This is italic.
NOTE: This problem occurs for either numbered or bulleted lists.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, after you type the second list item (where the formatting does not appear correctly), move the insertion point back to the end of the first list item, and then press ENTER. The correct formatting is then applied to the new second list item and successive list items when you press ENTER. After the list is complete, manually apply the correct formatting to the second sentence of the last list item.

NOTE: For automatic lists and formatting to occur in a bulleted or numbered list, be sure the automatic list and Format beginning of list item like the one before it options are selected on the AutoFormat As You Type tab. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect.
  2. On the AutoFormat As You Type tab, make sure the automatic list options are selected. For example, click to select Automatic numbered lists or Automatic bulleted lists or both.
  3. Also on the AutoFormat As You Type tab, make sure the Format beginning of list item like the one before it check box is selected.
  4. Click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how to create bulleted or numbered lists, click Contents and Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab in Word Help, type the following text

lists, bullets and numbers

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Add bullets or numbers to lists" topic. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/27/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB258947
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.