Word lists have more power and, let’s face it, confusion hiding under the menus. How to start a new list, continue a previous list, reset the numbering and trying to figure out how a list numbering has been messed up.
Many questions arising from our article on Word Autonumbering. Many of them asked about continuing numbering after a break for non-numbered text.
“There is no way of saying which numbering system should be continued from, and at what depth. “
There is, but it’s not obvious. Right-click at the autonumber and you’ll see some options:
Those options have been in Word for many years/versions. Though in modern Word they might be hiding in an increasingly crowded right-click menu.
Set Numbering Value
Choose ‘Set Numbering Value’ and you can set the numbering exactly and start a new list.
Start New List
Start new list might not do what you expect. It should be called “Make new list from this level onwards”.
It sets a starting value for the new list from the level of the current item not the first level. In this example, starting a new list from level 4 with starting value of 5.
That doesn’t look like a new list but a mistake in numbering. There’s no indication that a new list has started (not even the Show All button gives a clue).
If you want to start a totally new list from level 1, change the level of the current line first (using the Indent button or Alt + Shift + left arrow).
Continue from previous list
Use this to resume the earlier list after a break.
Advance value
skip some numbers with the new starting point set at …
Set Value to ..
The ‘Set value to’ will show as many counters as the depth of levels requires. Here’s an extreme example with all nine available levels …
Debugging a Word list problem
Faster Numbered and Multi-Level Level changes
Word multi-level lists, new list, reset numbering and more
