Continuing Your Numbering

You can take advantage of a nifty Word feature that allows you to easily pick up numbering where you previously left off. This is great for numbered lists that are interspersed with paragraphs that have a different format. In general, the feature is accessed as follows in versions of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Enter the first portion of your numbered list and format it. For example, if your list has 17 items, and there is a heading after item 4, then you would enter the first four items in the numbered list.
2. Enter the heading or paragraph that interrupts the list.
3. Enter the rest of your numbered list and format it. The list should begin with 1 again.
4. Right-click on the first paragraph after the list interruption. A Context menu appears.
5. Choose Bullets and Numbering from the Context menu. Word displays the Bullets and Numbering dialog box, with the Numbered tab selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
6. Choose Continue Previous List at the bottom of the dialog box.
7. Click on OK. The dialog box disappears and the list numbering is modified.

If you are using Word 2007, follow these steps instead:

1. Enter the first portion of your numbered list and format it. For example, if your list has 17 items, and there is a heading after item 4, then you would enter the first four items in the numbered list.
2. Enter the heading or paragraph that interrupts the list.
3. Enter the rest of your numbered list and format it. The list should begin with 1 again.
4. Right-click on the first paragraph after the list interruption. A Context menu appears.
5. Choose Continue Numbering. Word adjusts the numbering as specified.

It should be noted that the "Continue Numbering" option is available when right-clicking in some earlier versions of Word, as well. If it is available in your version, then you should feel free to use it.