WD: Numbering Command Renumbers Lines That Begin with Numbers

ID: Q109160

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If you use the Bullets And Numbering command (on the Format menu in Microsoft Word 6.0 and 7.0 and on the Tools menu in Word 2.x) to number paragraphs that begin with numbers, Word renumbers the paragraphs.

Word 6.0 and 7.0 begin the numbering at 1, whereas Word 2.x begins the numbering with the first number in the selected list.

For example, when you number the following list 

   4 packages of paper towels
   75 paper plates
   3 bags of hamburger buns
   100 paper cups
Word renumbers the list as follows: 

   Word 6.0, 7.0                    Word 2.x
   -------------                    --------

   1 packages of paper towels       4 packages of paper towels
   2 paper plates                   5 paper plates
   3 bags of hamburger buns         6 bags of hamburger buns
   4 paper cups                     7 paper cups

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use any of the following methods.

Method 1

In both Word 6.0,7.0 and 2.x, you can insert SEQ (sequence) fields at the beginning of each line in a list that begins with numbers. The above list appears as shown below in field codes view when you number it using SEQ fields: 

   { SEQ list }. 4 packages of paper towels
   { SEQ list }. 75 paper plates
   { SEQ list }. 3 bags of hamburger buns
   { SEQ list }. 100 paper cups

Method 2: (Word 6.0 and 7.0 Only)

In Word 6.0 and 7.0 only, you can use the bulleted list feature to number a list that begins with numbers. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the text you want to number.

2. On the Format menu, click Bullets And Numbering, click the Bulleted 

   tab, and then click OK.

    -or-

   Click the Bullets button on the Formatting toolbar.
3. When Word prompts you to replace the existing numbers with bullets, 
   click No.
4. With the text selected, click Bullets And Numbering on the Format 
   menu, click the Numbering tab, select a numbering style, and then
   click OK.

Method 3: (Word 6.0 and 7.0 Only)

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   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/
In Word 6.0 and 7.0 only, you can use the following macro to automatically insert SEQ fields at the beginning of each line of selected text: 

   Sub MAIN
   '****** Macro to number items that begin with numerals******
   warning$ = Selection$()
   lengt = Len(warning$)
   If lengt = 1 Then
      Goto Endit
   End If
   ToolsWordCount
   Dim dlg As ToolsWordCount
   GetCurValues dlg
   paracount = Val(dlg.Paragraphs)
   For numtimes = 1 To paracount
   nextparagraph:
      EditGoTo "\para"
      paragr$ = Selection$()
      If Len(paragr$) = 1 Then
         LineDown 1
         Goto nextparagraph
      End If
      CharLeft 1
      HangingIndent
      Insert Chr$(9)
      CharLeft 1
      InsertFieldChars
      Insert "SEQ series"
      UpdateFields
      EditFind .Find = "^p", .Wrap = 1
      CharRight 1
   Next numtimes
   Endit:
   End Sub
NOTE: If you need to number more than one list of items in a document, the above macro does not start numbering again at 1 for the second list. To number subsequent lists starting at 1, change the SEQ field Identifier instruction in the above macro to begin a new series, and then run the macro again. For example, change this line of the macro 

   Insert "SEQ series"
to the following: 

   Insert "SEQ series2"

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: winword2 remove apply sequence reset disappear

Keywords          : kbmacro kbprg kbdtacode wordnt kbmacroexample winword ntword macword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS:2.x,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0; MACINTOSH:6.0 6.0.1,6.0.1a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999