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I'm unable to get Word to properly number the references when I "insert citation"

Anonymous
2023-07-02T19:01:58+00:00

I'm trying to add citations to my Word document and even though I'm adding the citations in in the sequence they show up in the document, Word changes my numbering so that 9 and 10 come before 5,6,7, and 8. I think it's because 9 and 10 are within a text box. Is there a way to correct this? I don't want it to show up like the APA style, as it makes the ease of reading more difficult when "(author name, year)" keeps showing up in my text instead of simple "[#]." Is there a way to get Word to keep the number sequencing in the order it shows up in the text, regardless of whether it's in a text box or when I add in the citation (e.g. if I add something into the text and need to add a citation afterward)? Thanks.

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  1. Stefan Blom 338.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-07-05T18:07:01+00:00

    The sources seem to be sorted in the order in which they were added to the document.

    If you move referenced items around, remember to update both the references and the bibliography itself.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-07-05T01:32:14+00:00

    Thanks for continuing to work with me on this. I'm using the IEEE format because I want just numbers in the text part of the document, rather than (author, year) that is used for APA or MLA or most others. I can't figure out why the reference numbers aren't lining up in sequence of either the order in which I add them or the order in which they appear in the document.

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  3. Stefan Blom 338.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-07-04T12:26:03+00:00

    Sorry, I incorrectly assumed that caption numbers were part of the issue you described. I realize now that you are referring to the numbering of references.

    How did you create the numbering? For example, are you using the IEEE format for citations & bibliographies?

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  4. Stefan Blom 338.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-07-03T17:25:17+00:00

    In the dialog box, click the Text Wrapping tab. Most likely, you will find that the wrapping is set to "In line with text." (Position options only apply if some other Text Wrapping option has been selected.)

    However, if the text boxes that contain your caption numbers (SEQ fields) are in fact "In line with text," you won't be able to move the object anchor (because there is no anchor for an object which is "In line with text").

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  5. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-07-02T19:12:08+00:00

    When text is in a text box, its numbering will depend on the paragraph to which the text box is anchored. Check to make sure that the anchors for the text boxes are to paragraphs that are in the correct order with regard to the other citations.

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