Numbering Issues and Solutions

It is notoriously difficult to understand and fully control numbering in Word—as soon as you think you've figured it out, your numbered list gets broken or corrupted for no particular reason. In an attempt to fix these corrupted lists, many writers apply the {LISTNUM \l 1 \s 0} field code to restart the numbering. This seems to work within Word; however, this is only covering up the issue temporarily, and it is not a definite solution. When ePublisher Pro makes a copy of the file with these fields, the numbered lists seem to be once again corrupted and the output is incorrect. While we can't change the way Word works, we have found a couple of workarounds to deal with this troublesome issue. The best way to avoid [most] problems is to plan ahead—create all of the list styles and numbered structure when first creating the document. Use list styles and paragraph styles to restart numbered lists (instead of the "Restart numbering" context menu option). Avoid cutting & pasting list items, and stick to the styles created in the beginning.

The problem in using LISTNUM this way is not using Word fields for numbered lists but using a Word field to force standard Word lists to begin with '1' again. In the example above LISTNUM is used to set the 1st level of list numbering ('\l 1') to restart with 0 ('\s 0') so that the next standard Word list item will be numbered '1'. Everyone can see that this is merely a crutch.

It's pretty reasonable, however, to use LISTNUM, AUTONUM or SEQ fields to build 'non-breakable' lists in Word. There is a good How-To by David Knopf (see URL below) about using SEQ fields to achieve this.

However, if you do stray from these strategies, or if you find that your lists still cause problems, here are some things to try before giving up hope of ever regaining control of your Word lists.

Method 1 (excuse the irony of using numbered lists to outline the workarounds):

  1. In Word, choose Tools > Options, and enable all paragraph formatting marks.

  2. Hit ALT + F9 to display hidden field codes.
  3. Delete the following from each numbered list: { LISTNUM \l 1 \s 0 }
  4. At the first item of each list, right-click and choose Restart numbering (the numbers will be incorrect).
  5. Choose Edit > Undo (Ctrl + Z).

  6. Magically, your lists should be numbered as desired.

Method 2:

  1. In Word, choose Tools > Options, and enable all paragraph formatting marks.

  2. Hit ALT + F9 to display hidden field codes.
  3. Delete the following from each numbered lists: { LISTNUM \l 1 \s 0 }
  4. Choose Formats >> Styles and Formatting.

  5. Select a Numbered Style from the list and click Modify.
  6. From the Formats drop-down menu, choose Numbering.
  7. From the Outline Numbered list, select NONE and hit OK.
  8. Once again select the Numbered style and click Modify.
  9. Select Style Based on List, and assign List Number and hit OK.
  10. Right click on the first item of each intended new list select re-start.

Here are some additional reference articles on Word lists:

HelpCenter/Tips/Word/Numbering (last edited 2008-02-13 06:18:22 by localhost)