Numbering and Multi-level lists in Word 07: Improved?

[djprius]

Does anyone know if the Numbering and Multi-level (Outline) Lists has
been improved in Word 07. Most people report that these functions in
Word 03 and its predecessors are complicated and unreliable.

David

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

While a lot of people may report that, it is probably because they do not go
about it the right way. See the information orginally posted by fellow MVP
Shauna Kelly below.

For information about how to set up the numbering, see:
How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in your Microsoft Word
document
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

If you create a template to hold your numbering scheme, you can use that
template as the basis for new documents (using File > New) and the new
documents will then inherit your numbering scheme. To do that, see:

Creating a Template - The Basics (Part I)
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart1.htm

Creating a Template (Part II)
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart2.htm

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word


--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

True enough, Doug... but there are still problems with numbering and
multi-level lists in Word 2007 -- even if you understand how they work and
"go about it the right way."

IMO, the bottom line is that if you had problems in Word 2003, you won't
find major improvements in numbering in Word 2007. Then again, Word 2007 is
no worse than Word 2003 on this score, either. Word 2007 does offer many
functional improvements (again, IMO) over Word 2003. But, numbering is not
one of them.

Word 2007 does have a new Multilevel List numbering tool in its Home ribbon
tab. This can simplify direct formatting of a multi-level numbered list.
However, if you're accustomed to using styles, IMO, the new tool manages to
make things exceedingly confusing and frustrating for many users. If you
just accept the Multilevel List numbering tool on faith, rather than try to
integrate it with styles, your blood pressure will be lower. YMMV...

 

[Trainer]

I could also use halp on numbering and outline. This webpage does not
discuss Word 2007. It is only for former versions. I hope there be an
update for Word 2007.
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Virtually all of it is still applicable, however.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Beth Melton]

According to the Word PM who is in charge of the numbering feature,
numbering becomes far more stable if you use a List Style instead of the
built-in numbering features - especially if you want to modify the number
format. To create an new List Style, on the Home tab, click the Multilevel
List button and then click Define New List Style at the bottom. Then modify
the List formats to your liking. Use the Format button at the bottom and
then click Numbering for all of the options.

There are still some don'ts, such as do not modify the formats of the List
using manual formatting. For example if you need to change the indents then
modify the style, don't manually modify the indents. To modify the style,
display the Multilevel List gallery, locate your list style, right-click the
List Style and then click Modify.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/