WD: Bullet Replaces Leading Number in Paragraph

ID: Q81055

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, when you create a list or paragraphs containing bullets, Word replaces any leading numbers or a single letter followed by a period (an initial, for example) in the paragraphs or list items with the bullet character.

CAUSE

Word does not allow both a number and a bullet to appear at the beginning of a paragraph or list item when you use the Bullets and Numbering command.

WORKAROUND

To prevent Word from removing leading numbers from paragraphs or lists that you want to format with bullets, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Insert an Optional Hyphen

1. Press CTRL+HYPHEN (COMMAND+HYPEN if you are using Word for the 

   Macintosh).
2. Type the number, followed by the text you want.

3. Select the numbered text, and then on the Tools menu, click Bullets and 

   Numbering.
4. On the Bullet tab, click to select the desired bullet and then click OK.

5. On the Edit menu, click Replace.

6. In the Find what box, press CTRL+HYPHEN (COMMAND+HYPHEN if you are using 

   Word for the Macintosh), leave the Replace with box blank, and then
   click Replace All.

Method 2: Place the Number in a QUOTE Field

1. Press CTRL+F9 to insert field braces (COMMAND+F9 if you are using Word 

   for the Macintosh).
2. Type "quote" (without the quotation marks), and press the SPACEBAR.

3. Type the number you want between the quotation marks. For example, the 

   field code should appear as follows:

      {quote "12.2"}
4. Press F9 to update the display results.

Method 3: Use a Macro

NOTE: This macro cannot be used with either Word 97 or Word 98 Macintosh Edition.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/
The following WordBasic macro can replace the ToolsBulletListDefault macro, which is assigned to the Bulleted List toolbar button. The macro automates the typing of unique characters in front of the numbers prior to adding bullets. 

   Sub MAIN

      If Len(Selection$()) = 1 Then 
         EditGoTo .Destination = "\Para"
      EndIf

      ToolsBulletsNumbers .Type = 0, .Replace = 1, .Remove
      EditBookmark .Name = "bulletselection", .Add CharLeft 1
      n = CmpBookmarks("\Sel", "bulletselection")
      While n = 8 Or n = 6
         CharRight 1, 1
         If Asc(Selection$()) = 9 Then
            EditClear
         Else
            CharLeft 1
         EndIf
         Insert Chr$(31)
         CharLeft
         FormatNumberDefault
         EditClear
         EndOfLine
         n = CmpBookmarks("\Sel", "\EndOfDoc")
         If n <> 0 Then
            ParaDown
            StartOfLine
            n = CmpBookmarks("\Sel", "bulletselection")
         EndIf
      Wend
      EditGoTo .Destination = "bulletselection"
      EditBookmark .Name = "bulletselection", .Delete
   End Sub
Additional query words: 
Keywords          : kbmacro kbformat 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:6.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: April 27, 1999