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Word 2010 Multilevel list - Numbers disappear

Anonymous
2013-02-18T18:03:37+00:00

I am using Word 2010 with Windows 7.

I have an 82 page document that has headings numbered with a multilevel list.  I use a defined styles for each level and have used outline functions to assign levels to each heading.  Once the style is set and levels assigned I have used the multilevel list to give each a number.  In numerous heading levels I had to set the number using the 'set numbering value'.

Once I completed the entire file I created a .pdf of the file and saved the file.  I also restricted the styles to just those used in the document.

When I open the file about half of the numbers are gone.

This has happened twice.

I really need help!

thanks.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Stefan Blom 340.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-05-01T18:55:11+00:00

    First of all, clear "Automatically update document styles" if it is selected.

    If you are applying style sets to the document, note that these do not work reliably with numbered and bulleted styles. Avoid them and modify styles directly in the document instead.

    Recreate the numbering for your headings as follows: Place the insertion point in the first Heading 1 paragraph of the document. Click Home tab | Multilevel List | Define New Multilevel List. Set up numbering as desired.

    If you often create documents with heading numbering, set up a template with numbered styles.

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  2. Stefan Blom 340.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-02-19T00:01:38+00:00

    Make sure that "Automatically update document styles" is cleared in the Templates and Add-Ins dialog box.

    To display the dialog box: Click the Document Template button on the Developer tab. If you can't see the Developer tab, click to select it at File tab | Options | Customize Ribbon.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-05-01T16:15:09+00:00

    I am having a very similar problem. I made a PDF from one of my documents (which has a list style set, linked to the heading 1-9 styles), and while the PDF was produced fine, when I returned to the document, the numbers had disappeared. After this happened, other documents I opened using the same style set ALSO had no numbers. I tried all the suggestions here. I was finally able to get the numbers back by modifying the list style, opening Format - Numbering, and clicking on each of the levels (but making no changes). When I closed out of those windows, the numbers returned. I did this for each document I had opened and saved them all. But now, sporadically, when I open them, the numbers are gone again. I also sent one of the documents (that had been working last time I opened it) to a coworker, and the numbers were gone when he opened it. Fixed, saved, closed, opened. Next day - numbers gone again.

    I had been using these styles w/o problems for a couple weeks.

    Any ideas? I am fresh out of them! Help!

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  4. Stefan Blom 340.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-02-18T20:07:26+00:00

    The fact that you have to restart numbering manually suggests that it isn't correctly set up. Place the insertion point in the first Heading 1 and then click Home tab | Multilevel List | Define New Multilevel List. For more, see http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/numbering20072010.html.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-05-06T13:25:08+00:00

    Thanks to everyone.  I continue to try to find solutions to these problems but it is clear to me that MS Word's multi-level numbering is not ready for prime time. If I select text and format a multi-level list it should remain formatted but it does not.

    What makes matters worse is that I am often working from legacy documents (some go back over 10 years) and so they have embedded Word and WordPerfect codes from old versions that are impossible to find and delete (I still long for the old 'reveal codes' command from WordPerfect).  I am usually left with the prospect of converting the entire file to ASCII text and then reformatting pages of text.

    I am waiting to find a word processor that will really work well with multi-level numbering.

    Thanks again for all your help.

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