WD2000: Changing Numbering in Current Paragraph Affects Entire Numbered List (284249)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q284249

SYMPTOMS

When you customize a single numbered item in an outline numbered list, the entire outline numbered list displays the change to the individual numbered item.

For example, when you change item 3 in the following outline numbered list to contain the same change as item 2 (note the opening bracket)

 1. This is line 1.
[2. This is line 2.
 3. This is line 3.
 4. This is line 4

the entire outline numbered list displays the change, instead of just list item 3:

[1. This is line 1.
[2. This is line 2.
[3. This is line 3.
[4. This is line 4.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:
  • There is already an outline numbered item that was customized.

    -and-
  • The customized item is adjacent to an item that you are currently customizing.

    -and-
  • The outline numbered list is linked to a style.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use Two Styles

Create a separate style whose definition includes the modification. Then apply this new style to paragraphs next to each other without modifying the numbering for the whole list.

Method 2: Do Not Link to a Style

If the numbering is not linked to a style, the problem does not occur. The drawback of this method is that, in a large document or a master document, the use of styles helps to maintain formatting consistency.

Method 3: Select Paragraph Groups

Select all contiguous paragraphs where you want to modify the numbering, regardless of whether the modified numbering was already applied to them.

Method 4: Copy the Paragraph Mark

All paragraph formatting, including the numbering format, is contained in the paragraph mark. To copy the formatting from one paragraph to another, follow these steps:
  1. Turn on nonprinting characters. To do this, click Show/Hide () on the standard toolbar.
  2. Modify the first paragraph in the numbered list.
  3. Select the paragraph mark at the end of this paragraph, and press CTRL+C to copy it to the clipboard.
  4. For each additional paragraph to receive the modified numbering, select the paragraph mark of that paragraph, and press CTRL+V to replace it with the paragraph mark that is in the clipboard.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

To modify the numbering of a paragraph in a numbered list, follow these steps:
  1. Place the insertion point in the paragraph whose numbering you want to modify.
  2. On the Format menu, click Bullets and Numbering. Switch to the Outline Numbered tab. Click Customize.
  3. Modify the numbering the way that you want.
  4. In the Apply Changes To list, select Current Paragraph, and then click OK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/22/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB284249
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.