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How can I apply multilevel numbering only to some headings in MS Word and not all headings of a level?

Anonymous
2021-05-02T22:11:10+00:00

I would like to apply multilevel numbering of headings in Microsoft Word, but only for some of the headings of Level 1, but not for all of the headings. At the moment I defined the headings as level 1 or level 2 using "Styles". Afterwards I click on "create multilevel list". This results in numbering of all Headings level 1 consecutively from 1 onward as displayed below

But I actually would like to only number the Headings level 1 from the 3rd to the 5th Heading level 1 (in the example it is C-E), as shown below. The 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th Heading level 1 should not get numbered. How can I achieve this with MS Word?

[Moderator note: This thread is locked because a solution has been provided here and in another forum]

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2021-05-02T23:07:28+00:00

Define a new style with the same attributes as your Level 1, but without the numbering and use that style for the headings that you do not want to be numbered.

If you want the un-numbered headings to be included in the Table of Contents, you will need to assign the appropriate TOC level to that style in the Table of Contents Options dialog that is accessed by expanding the Table of Contents dropdown in the Table of Contents section of the References tab of the ribbon and then clicking on Custom Table of Contents and then on the Options button on the Table of Contents tab of the Table of Contents dialog.

NOTE: There are a number of good reasons for using the built in Heading # styles for your numbered headings by linking each level of the multi-level list to the corresponding Heading #

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-05-03T17:01:36+00:00

    Thank you very much! Your approach works. I combined this with using built in heading numbering styles from another tutorial.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-05-03T17:00:24+00:00

    Hi! Thanky you for your solution at Super User and thank you for pointing out the cross posting. The built-in headings tutorial from Shauna Kelly worked very well!

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