re-do on auto-numbering?

**rokuk** · 01-19-2010, 01:37 AM

Hi all.

I am a Word formatting newbie, but have been spontaneously thrust into the position to support some document editing. I am having some trouble with getting the auto-numbering in Word 2003 to work correctly.

The document is organized into sections and subsections. so we have section 1, 1.1, 1.1.1 ... and so on. Originally I was having trouble with the numbering auto-numbering correclty, so I just started typing the numbering manually. the deadline was very short so I felt that was the best way to get the first draft out the door. well, as tends to happen, the draft has matured to the point where there are many more sections and subsections than originally planned, so doing this manually is no longer a feasible option.

each time a change is made to a subsection, I need to manually update each and every following subsection. Example, if there are subsections 2.1.1 through 2.1.9, and 2.1.3 gets removed, I now have to manually updates everything AFTER the section that was deleted to the proper numbering format. I have tried to get the auto-numbering working by using the numbering menus, but to no avail.

Is there any way to get Word 2003 to auto-detect an obvious numbering pattern in an existing document, pick up on it, and start auto-numbering the document from that point forward? worst case scenario, I could go section by section and update each and every section and subsection number if it meant the document would then start auto-numbering (perhaps through altering the header styles?), if this would work. I have unfortunately not found anything helpful as of yet.

any advice would be extremely appreciated - thank you!

**teylyn** · 01-19-2010, 01:59 AM

Hi rokuk,

without seeing your document, I think you need to have a look into the Word "Heading" paragraph formats. Define the headings with the numbering scheme, so that each level of heading has the correct number, i.e.

Heading1 - 1 Chapter title
Heading2 - 1.1 Sub-chapter title
Heading3 - 1.1.1 Sub-sub chapter title
etc.

then go through your document and assign the heading paragraph formats to the respective headings.

hth

**rokuk** · 01-19-2010, 07:09 AM

Hi Teylyn!

Thank you very much for the suggestion!

I will try this today! = )

**rokuk** · 01-19-2010, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by teylyn

Hi rokuk,

without seeing your document, I think you need to ...

then go through your document and assign the heading paragraph formats to the respective headings.

hth

it worked!! THANK YOU so very much! I have the slightest bit more confidence this is entirely do-able now = )

I very much appreciate the help!