Document header corruptions

Question

We keep experiencing problems where the headers in a Word document suddenly add multiple levels for no apparent reason e.g. a heading of "1 Introduction" will suddenly become "1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Introduction" and also the 'Styles' window shows these changes. Subsequent headings and paragraph styles experience similar issues in some cases adding numbering where none existed before. 

Any suggestions as to the cause and the best way to fix/avoid this problem?

Answer 1

Since you see numbering even in the comments, it is possible that someone inadvertently added numbering to the Normal style, which would be inherited by most other styles in Word. Open the Modify Style dialog box for the Normal style, click the Format drop down and choose Numbering. Click the "None" preview picture (even if it already appears to be selected) and click OK repeatedly to confirm the settings.

To fix strange things in the numbered headings, you can try setting up the numbering again.

Also, make sure that "Automatically update document styles" is NOT selected in the Templates and Add-Ins dialog box. To display that dialog, click Document Template on the Developer tab. (To see that tab on the ribbon, go to File | Options | Customize Ribbon and click to select the check box next to "Developer.")

Answer 2

Somehow, I think list levels 6, 7, 8, and 9 were applied to every Style based on "Normal" - so, most of them. 

Current as hoc solution: 

1. Right-click an instance of the "1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1" in the document.
2. Select "Adjust List Indent" in the drop down
3. Select the "More > >" button
4. Count the number of variables between each period. This is your list level. Mine is 9, since there are nine numbers. I also have some that are 8, 7, and 6.
5. Select "Click level to modify" level on the left of the window. I selected "9"
6. In the "Enter formatting for number" section, delete the "1.1.1.1.[x]..." in the box
7. In the "Number style for this level" use the drop-down menu to select "(none)" [assuming it wasn't selected automatically upon deleting the values above]
8. On the top left, in the "Apply changes to" drop-down, ensure it says "Whole list"
9. De-select the check box next to the "Restart list after" drop-down
10. Press the "OK" button

Repeat the process for any other extra numbers that continue to exist. For me, this means for level 6, 7, and 8 as well.

*Restrict Editing is turned off for me. This feature can be found in the "Review" tab.

** I'm using Word 2016

Answer 3

Microsoft support suggested that the problem may be due to the document template having been created in an older version of Word and that the 'maintain compatibility' button had been checked.

Working to create a new 'clean' version of the template

Answer 4

By default, Word is set up so that pressing Tab (or Shift+Tab) at the beginning of a numbered item will change the numbering level. Alt+Shift+Left arrow (and Alt+Shift+Right arrow) works pretty much the same.

Note that setting upp multilevel numbering with styles is the best approach if you want numbering to be stable. See http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/numbering20072010.html.

Answer 5

How did you set up the numbering?

If you send me a copy of the document, referencing this thread in the covering email message, I will investigate the issue.