Sequentially Numbering Elements in Your Document

Word allows you to automatically number items in your document. For instance, you can automatically number figures, tables, or illustrations. If you later reorder these items, Word automatically updates the numbers so they are in order. To sequentially number items in your text, follow these steps:

1. Position the insertion point where you want the sequential number to appear. For instance, this would be in the caption for the table or figure.
2. Press Ctrl+F9 to insert field brackets. Make sure the insertion point stays between the brackets.
3. Type "seq " followed by the name of the element. This name is up to you, but should be the same for each item in this sequence. For instance, you could type "seq figures" or "seq tables".
4. Press F9 to update the field information. Word replaces the field with the next number in the sequence you have specified.