List Level Formatting Problems

Question

I am using the List feature in Word 2010 to create a long list with several levels.  I do not like Microsoft's styles because I don't like the size and colors of the fonts that it offers.   I have tried that and I have tried to modify this option and it throws off the entire list.  I also do not like the predefined Outline feature/tool.  I only want to use the List feature.

My problem is that as the levels increase, the indenting is not cohesive with the rest of the List.  For example, at level (iii), the text is flush with (iii).  

I already went into Auto Format and I made sure that all of the requisite selections are checked.

The problem is that I have to manually adjust every line and even then I can't get the text to align with the text in the line above.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Answer 1

For roman numerals, it's preferable to have the number aligned right. When you change from Left to Right in the Define New Multilevel List dialog, Word will adjust the indents and tabs automatically, but you can fine-tune them as needed.

You don't have to use heading styles to create multilevel lists, though if you are numbering headings, there are advantages to using the built-in styles (see http://shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/UseBuiltInHeadingStyles.html). If you do use the heading styles, you don't have to settle for Microsoft's formatting: you can modify the font and paragraph formatting to your own requirements; see http://shaunakelly.com/word/styles/ModifyAStyle.html.

Answer 2

You mentioned having problems with (iii). That looks like a roman numeral to me.

If you are using parentheses on both sides of the numbers, then you may have to increase the indent. Here's an example of a list set up using the list format you mentioned, with added parentheses, and with the Level 3 numbering aligned right:

This screen shot shows the Define New Multilevel List dialog for Level 3:

As you can see, the preview in that dialog doesn't represent the indents accurately. This is largely a trial-and-error setup situation.

If you prefer to retain the left alignment for the roman numerals, then you will need to set "Text indent at" and "Add tab stop at" to a larger amount to accommodate the longest numbers.

Answer 3

Thank you for taking the time to get back to me but the information does not answer my question.  Let me clarify:

I am not making Roman Numeral lists.  I am using the list choice that begins with 1), a), i)... 

I already went to that site before I posted my question and the instructions are not clear.  I went to a page on that site that was linked through a different Community posting and it contained so many steps that it was not worth attempting to apply.

I double-checked the site after you replied to my question and the first link that you posted doesn't work.  The second link contains instructions that are not user-friendly, as was my experience on another page of that site, and unless the reader has prior knowledge, they cannot reasonably follow the instructions.  I am a technical writer and I know how to write instructions.

All I want to do is created a list and have the subsequent lines align in the same fashion.  I am aware that when additional letters or symbols are added, such as going from (i) to (ii) and then (iii), then lines WILL have to shift a bit.  But the lines/indenting should not then become flush with (iii) after the text in the line above shifted forward.  This should not entail a laborious research process and I should not have to apply styles to get the lines to automatically align.