How do I create a reverse-order numbered list? Like a Top 10 list?

To create a countdown list, you could:

1. Start with a field coded along the lines of {SET HighNum 11}, where '11' is one more than the first number you want to use.
2. Use a formula field to output the numbers, thus {=HighNum-{SEQ RevNumList}}
3. Copy & paste the preceding field for each of the successive countdown numbers.

or you could:

4. Type the starting number and bookmark it as 'HighNum'
5. Use the field from steps 2 & 3 above for each of the successive countdown numbers.

Note: The field brace pairs (i.e. '{ }') for the above example are all created in the document itself, via Ctrl-F9 (Cmd-F9 on a Mac); you can't simply type them or copy & paste them from this message. Nor is it practical to add them via any of the standard Word dialogues.

If you find you need to expand or contract the list, edit the first number (without deleting the bookmark or by selecting the first field, pressing Shift-F9 to expose the field code and changing the number there then pressing F9 to update the field). Then, if you're adding to the list, copy one of the exisitng numbering fields and paste it into the new position. Conversely if you're deleting from the list, delete the corresponding field. If you're just re-arranging the list, you can move the items around with their numbers. Once you've finished adding/deleting/moving, select the list again and press F9 to update the numbers.

If you select the range of paragraphs and run a macro containing the following code, it will assign numbers to them in descending order.

Dim i As Long

Dim rng As Range

Set rng = Selection.Range

With Selection.Range

For i = 1 To .Paragraphs.Count

    With .Paragraphs(i).Range

        .Text = Mid(.Text, InStr(.Text, vbTab) + 1)

    End With

Next i

rng.MoveEnd wdParagraph, 1

rng.Select

For i = 1 To rng.Paragraphs.Count

    rng.Paragraphs(i).Range.InsertBefore .Paragraphs.Count - i + 2 & vbTab

Next i

End With

If you insert new items, you will need to reselect the range of paragraphs and re-run the macro.

Personally, for this specific task I prefer to use the SEQUENCE number field.  It is surprisingly easy.  This tip shows to do that and also has another macro if you wish to go that way:

Reverse Numbered Lists

http://wordribbon.tips.net/T009864_Reverse_Numbered_Lists.html

**Summary:**Adding numbered lists to your document is a snap; Word provides tools to add them immediately. What Word doesn't do is provide a way to create a "countdown list" that is in reverse order. Here's how you can do it.

This page also has a reverse numbering macro for sequences (buried way down in the text, and you have to click on a link to get the actual macro code)

https://web.archive.org/web/20040208013421/http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnovba00/html/WordFieldsPartI.asp?frame=true

NOTE: there is a really weird line wrapping problem with the macro code!