autonumbering

[Guest]

We are currently creating technical documentation for our client and are
having trouble with the implementation of some components. Other software
exist on the market which is more suitable for our needs, however MS Word is
the software of choice, selected and used by our client.

Our primary challenge is with the autonumbering feature currently employed
by MS Word. The autonumber function often performs in a manner inconsistent
with what we are trying to accomplish. That is it will autonumber in a manner
we do not want. It automatically assigns an autonumber when we indent, or
performs some other numbering function on the paragraph. We override this
feature but more often than not it affects autonumbering for the following
paragraphs.

Numerous individuals work on the document, and some are not that computer
savvy. This complicates the matter of document consistency greatly. And since
99.9% of this document is autonumbered (well over 500 pages worth), it
becomes a nightmare to maintain. Add that Word automatically conforms to
pre-set nodes, changes our numbering intent then we have a real nightmare on
our hands.

My question: is there, or does there exist, a plugin to override Word's
autonumbering scheme? I've searched the web but came up empty.

Any assistance would be most helpful.

Basic data: Version in use: MS Word 2000 and Office 2000

Thanks in advance,

thebigmac

 

[Margaret Aldis]

To make Word's autonumbering work you need to set up numbered styles - see
the numbering topics at
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/

It sounds like you are also suffering from inappropriate AutoFormat As You
Type options - suggest you also look at

http://www.word.mvps.org/faqs/formatting/TameAutoFormat.htm

I think you need to take a big step back on this and also read up some more
on setting up templates and customising the user interface to 'encourage'
the users to use the styles and template correctly. Otherwise everyone will
poke the documents with a different pointed stick and you can be absolutely
assured that the maintenance nightmare will continue :-(

 

[Charles Kenyon]

See: How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in your Word
document
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html.

This is based on ...

Word's Numbering Explained
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Numbering/WordsNumberingExplained.htm

Additional information you may find useful or need is at:

How to Create a Template, Part II
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart2.htm

Legal Numbering
http://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/numbering.htm

Seven Laws of Outline Numbering
http://www.microsystems.com/fra_sevenlawsofoutlinenumbering.htm

The following are some discussions on the Microsoft newsgroups on numbering:
Nightmare on ListNumbering Street <URL:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&th=9e790fa7ed2886b3,18&ic=1>
The Joy of Lists <URL:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&th=811287ebce8fc203,15&ic=1>
Relinking ListTemplates <URL:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&th=2350746054c838e,12&ic=1>
Outline numbering: restart doesn't restart <URL:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]#p>
Format Doesn't "Hold" <URL:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]#p>
(above list compiled by Dave Rado, Word MVP)

ListNumbering Street Revisited <URL:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&safe=off&th=57df77857e4993ce>

See the latest numbering discussion I've seen, especially post #4 which
contains Dave Rado's concise instructions for setting up heading numbering.
<URL:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&ic=1&th=bce07d7714769f5c>

--

Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide

See also the MVP FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/word which is awesome!
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