Word 2010 default numbered list formatting

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I am almost embarrassed to ask, because I am trying to achieve something really simple, but I just can’t do it.

Word has it’s own ideas on how numbered lists will be formatted. I would like to change this in all of my documents, so that when I enter 1. followed by a Tab, the list is formatted according to what I have tried to set up in Format Paragraphs (below) and failed.

Tab stops have been set up in normal.dotm at intervals of 1.5cm. I would now like to change the default formatting to always be:

(a) Indentation (Left Indent = 0)
(b) Special (Hanging by 1.5cm)

Word just ignores ‘Set as Default’ and ‘All documents based on Normal.dotm template’, when I attempt to apply these settings in Paragraph formatting, so none of these are applied to any other document.

I would be very grateful for your help.

Regards
useful:confused:

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You want to make a list style, I believe. Use the multilevel list button. Good instructions here:

http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/numbering20072010.html

– Jessica

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Hi Jessica

I saw this as I was hunting for a solution and it is a very elaborate and complicated set of instructions, but not quite what I want to be able to do, which is to enter 1. and start typing, without Word indenting the 1. and ignoring the Tab stops I have set up in normal.dotm.

I have been able to set this simple numbering list up in Word 2003 and earlier versions, but Word 2010 appears not to save my settings, even though it goes through all the motions without error.

Thank you for the suggestion though.

Regards
useful

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Ok. What you want is for Word NOT to create a numbered list if you do that.

In that case, go into the Word options, look for AutoCorrect, and look at the Autoformat As you Type tab or section. Uncheck the option to automatically create lists.

You can then do manual numbering of lists.

OR, if you want automatic numbering that follows your preferred formatting, you have to set up a list style. There is a button in the Home tab that looks like a single-level list. Click that button and create the list style as you want it. You can do this by selecting one of the standard list styles and changing it to match your needs. Then if Word lists don’t look the way you want, you can select the list (all of it) in the doc, and use that button to apply the list style you want.

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Hi Jessica

I have now looked up List Styles (I didn’t know this term before) and set one up in Word 2010 that produces Numbering just as I need it. The only issue is that I always have to find and select that Style I have set up (under the Multi-Level List button on the Home Tab).

Is there no way of achieving this by just typing 1. then and so on? Do I always have to first find and select that Style?

Thank you.

Regards
useful

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Hi Jessica

I had another thought. If it is not possible to achieve this without first finding and clicking on that Style, is it possible to set that particular Style up as a button on the Quick Access Bar (as distinct from the entire Gallery)? That would require just one click, without first ‘hunting’ for the Style, which would be just as good.

Thank you again.

Regards
useful

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Hi Jessica

Thank you very much for your prompt response.

I was not clear enough. I want to start a simple numbering list by entering 1. and then type my first point. When I press I would like the next number to be inserted by Word automatically (I do not want Word NOT to create a numbered list). All I would like in my numbered list is for the Left Indent to be zero and the paragraphs following the numbers to hang by 1.5cm, which are the Tab stops I have set up in normal.dotm.

I would therefore like to follow your instructions to set up a list style, but I am unable to, as I cannot see a button that looks like a single-level list. The button that is highlighted when I do as described is the Numbering button. Clearly this is not what you mean.

Regards
useful

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Hi Jessica

Thank you for putting me on the right track.

I set up a List Style, formatted it to be the way I want it, then created a Macro that selects it and assigned a key-combination to it and issue resolved!

Thank you very much.

Regards
useful

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