What is the difference between "paragraph numbering" and "paragraph numbering (without context)" in cross-references, and how to arrange the order of references after cross-referencing

Question

As shown in the figure, what is the difference between "paragraph numbering" and "paragraph numbering (without context)" of the cross-reference option,

There is also how to arrange the order of the references after cross-reference, because after citing the references, it is necessary to number the references in the order in which they appear in the text. Although citing references can also be achieved by inserting endnotes, it is more troublesome to add square brackets to endnotes and restore the superscript at the end of the text to the size of the text, so I prefer to use cross-references.

https://filestore.community.support.microsoft.com/api/images/b4c9bb5f-47eb-4614-99f0-3726c53ac48d?upload=true

Answer 1

The options you mention apply to multilevel list numbers, where Word may have to include higher levels for readers to uniquely identify a cross-reference. The following text is a sample of such a multilevel list:

If a cross-reference to paragraph 1b is positioned in paragraph 2a, a relative reference would display as follows:

A "no context" reference would only display "b":

Finally, "full context" means that the full reference is added, regardless of context.

Answer 2

I can only really give examples using "English" style numbering in an English language document - the image you posted suggested you are using Chinese and there may be differences.

Let's say you have mult-level numbering using 1., 2., 3. for level 1, i., ii., iii. for level 2 and (a), (b), (c) for Level 3, and you have

1. Para 1
   i. Para 1.1
   (a) Para 1.1.1
   (b) Para 1.1.2 ii. Para 1.2
   (a) Para 1.2.1
   (b) Para 1.2.2
2. Para 2
   i. Para 2.1

Now you want a cross reference to the number of Para 1.1.1 under Para 1.1.2, Para 1.2.2 and Para 2.1

This is what you end up with:

1. Para 1
   i. Para 1.1
   (a) Para 1.1.1
   (b) Para 1.1.2

XREF with Paragraph numbering: (a)
XREF with Paragraph numbering (no context): (a)
XREF with Paragraph numbering (full context): 1i(a)

ii. Para 1.2
(a) Para 1.2.1
(b) Para 1.2.2

XREF with Paragraph numbering: i(a)
XREF with Paragraph numbering (no context): (a)
XREF with Paragraph numbering (full context): 1i(a)

2. Para 2
   i. Para 2.1

XREF with Paragraph numbering: 1i(a)
XREF with Paragraph numbering (no context): (a)
XREF with Paragraph numbering (full context): 1i(a)

In other words

• the "no context" number is always the same no matter where you insert it but is ambiguous (except arguably under para 1.1.2)
• the "full context" number is always the same no matter where you insert it and is the least ambiguous
• the "Paragraph number" varies depending on where you insert it. Under para 1.1.2 the reader is supposed to realise that (a) means the (a) paragraph under the same Level 2 heading as the cross-reference itself. Under para 1.2.2 just having (a) would suggest to the reader that the reference was to para 1.2.1, so Word uses i(a) to indicate that it's actually to para 1.1.1. Similarly, under para 2.1 the reader needs the "full context" version of the reference, i.e. 1i(a) to work out what is being referenced.

If you have numbering like the following, where the paragraph numbers provide the full context anyway, the "Paragraph number", "Paragraph number (no context )" and Paragraph number (full context) references are all the same, e,g, a reference to the 1.1.1 para would always be "1.1.1"

1. Level 1
   1.1 Level 2
   1.1.1 Level 3

Can you provide simple examples of what you are discussing in the paragraph starting with "There is also how to arrange the order"... ?