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Using Microsoft Styles for Mixed Numbered Lists

Leigh Ann 25 Reputation points
2025-08-05T20:24:51.4633333+00:00

How can Microsoft Word be configured to style headings with Roman numerals for "Heading Level 1" while using Arabic numerals for subsequent levels?

For example, the desired document structure is:

Article I

1.1 

1.2

1.3

Article II

2.1

2.2

2.3

The issue arises when attempting to number the lists, as it defaults to linking to the Roman numeral format (I.1, I.2, etc.). What are the steps to achieve this without needing to create individual styles for each level? Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows
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  1. Charles Kenyon 166.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-06T17:12:51.65+00:00

    Expanding on Suzanne's answer...

    You do need individual paragraph styles for each level.

    You can use the built-in heading styles, or your own custom styles.

    See: Multilevel Numbering in Word that goes Article 1, 1.1, 1.2 by Jason Morrell.

    What you want is along the lines of this:

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    Here is a temporary link to a template that has this set up and displays as shown in the screenshot following.

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f9jb2c4gn8h1t9wtg2m7y/Numbering-Levels-Article-I-Legal.dotx?rlkey=9o56aotlh9m7gndzr19qxi02l&dl=0

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    It is a bit of work to set up.

    It can be saved to a Quick Style Set.

    Here is my pdf on MultiLevel Numbering in Word with more links.

    3 people found this answer helpful.

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-06T00:34:09.8766667+00:00

    Presumably you already know how to create a multilevel list. The secret is to check the box for "Legal style numbering" at each level below the first.

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Leigh Ann 25 Reputation points
    2025-08-06T17:36:50.5966667+00:00

    Suzanne's answer of just clicking the "Legal Style Numbering" was what fixed my issue. I knew it would be super simple and it was.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Ryan-N 12,660 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-08-05T21:02:03.9066667+00:00

    Hi @Leigh Ann,

    Thank you for reaching out. Below is a detailed guide on how to configure Microsoft Word to use Roman numerals for Heading 1 and Arabic numerals for Heading 2 and below

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Open the Multilevel List Dialog
    • Go to the Home tab → Paragraph group → click the Multilevel List icon.

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    • Select Define New Multilevel List….

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    • Click More >> if the dialog is not fully expanded.
    1. Configure Level 1 (Heading 1) – Roman Numerals
    • Select Level 1.
    • Number style for this level: Choose Roman numerals (I, II, III, …).
    • Enter formatting for number: Add the word “Article ” before the number code, e.g., Article %1.
    • Follow number with: Choose Space or Nothing.
    • Link level to style: Select Heading 1.
    • Start at: Ensure it is set to 1.
    1. Configure Level 2 (Heading 2) – Arabic Numerals with Level 1 Prefix
    • Select Level 2.
    • Include level number from: Choose Level 1, then add a period and space after %1, resulting in %1.%2.
    • Number style for this level: Choose Arabic (1, 2, 3, …).
    • Legal style numbering: Check this option to force %1 to display in Arabic format.
    • Link level to style: Select Heading 2.
    • Start at: Set to 1.
    1. Apply and Test
    • Click OK to apply the settings.
    • Apply Heading 1 to a paragraph – it should appear as “Article I”.
    • Apply Heading 2 to sub-paragraphs – they should appear as “1.1”, “1.2”, etc.
    • When you start a new Heading 1 (e.g., “Article II”), the subheadings will automatically reset to “2.1”, “2.2”, etc.

     If you have any updates regarding the issue after following the steps above, please feel free to share them with me.

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