Numbered Lists (Word 97 SR2)

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There is probably a simple answer to this that I am missing. I have a style defined for numbered lists in my documents. When I apply the style the first time, it starts numbering 1. 2. 3. etc. When I apply the same format maye five paragraphs later, the new Numbered List starts numbering from the last number of the previous list, e.g., 5. 6. etc.. I then have to go into Format>Bullets and Numbering… and reset the numbered list to start at 1., 2., again. Surely there must be a better way to make this reset happen. Any insight anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Ron M

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Ron,

As far as a simpler method that is built into Word, I don’t think there is.

You could implement the following two macros, and assign key combinations to them or put them on handy buttons – these seem to work fine (I think I copied them from someone here…).

Sub ListRestart()
‘ Resets numbering of current list to restart numbering
Dim aList As Variant
Set aList = Selection.Range.ListFormat
aList.ApplyListTemplate ListTemplate:=aList.ListTemplate, _
ContinuePreviousList:=False
End Sub

Sub ListContinue()
‘ Resets paragraph formatting on the current selection
‘ Is used in an Outline List to continue numbering from previous list
Selection.ParagraphFormat.Reset
End Sub

Gary

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There is an even easier method to achieve Selection.ParagraphFormat.Reset, just type Control-Q

StuartR

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Thanks. Why did I know there wasn’t a simple way to do this. Control-Q will work just fine. Still a nuisance. Too bad that there isn’t a way to default the Style so that everytime you apply it, it starts from 1., 2….

Ron M

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Ron,

As Stuart pointed out, Control+Q will reset paragraph formatting, so that is a handy way to make numbering that has already been set to restart, switch back to continuing the previous list.

That though is the opposite of what you are looking to achieve, which is to restart numbering – as far as I know there is no key shortcut for that. (I posted both macros – restart/continue previous list – for completeness – as Stuart points out, the continue previous list one can more easily be done by using Control+Q.)

Gary

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Stuart,

Thanks for pointing this out. Thinking about the original code a little bit more, it seems to me that the ParagraphFormat.Reset is a quick way to “continue previous list” (because it removes all direct formatting from the paragraph), but that strictly speaking that is not the best way to do it – for instance, if a paragraph happened to have some other direct formatting applied to it, that other direct formatting will be lost when the .Reset is done.

So I think the following pair of macros are better than the first ones I posted (am posting both just for completeness) – you lose the simplicity of being able to use Control+Q, but maybe it’s just a little safer when done this way.

Public Sub ListRestart()
‘ Resets numbering of current list to restart numbering
Dim aList As Variant
Set aList = Selection.Range.ListFormat
aList.ApplyListTemplate ListTemplate:=aList.ListTemplate, _
ContinuePreviousList:=False
End Sub

Public Sub ListContinue()
‘ Continue numbering from previous list
‘ – does not reset any other direct paragraph formatting
Dim aList As Variant
Set aList = Selection.Range.ListFormat
aList.ApplyListTemplate ListTemplate:=aList.ListTemplate, _
ContinuePreviousList:=True
End Sub

Gary

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Thanks for this. I was wondering why CTRL-Q did not work.

What I have basically is a document that uses three levels of headings, each indented a bit and then with the same indent, I have a Body Text, List Number and List Bullet defined for each level of heading. This way each paragraph and lists are properly set up with the correct indentation, hanging indents, etc. The problem comes when I have a List Number 2 and define the list (List Number 2 – 0.5″ indent)

1. Item 1
2. Item 2
3. Item 3 (etc)

Level 2 paragraph, etc…

4. Item 1, List 2
5. Item 2, List 2

When I try to reset the Level 2 List number 2 in the second list, I get into trouble. Word resets indents if I reapply the formatting (Automatic update is not on) and does other weird and wonderful things.

Gary, will the macro that you have given us be able to distinguish between the different List Number styles that I have created? I want to place these macros in the template I have created. How exactly do I do that?

I really appreciate the help you guys have given me.

Ron M

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