Word help please?

[ElizaDee]

Posted in Chat but got no response and I want to finish this today.

I've got a word document I've been asked to fix. I've done everything else but I'm stuck on this. There are multiple levels of numbering, and they've used the headings to do this. Basically, the last numbering format won't repeat when you press return when the cursor is on the end of the sentence. If you put the cursor in the text of the last line, then return, it will give the next 'bullet point'.

The numbering is

1
1.1
1.1.1
a
b

and its at the end of the sentence of a) that when they hit return, the numbering format isn't followed, it just starts a new normal line. I need it to follow the format and give b). I hope that makes sense.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Has the person who authored the document just typed the bullet numbering instead of inserting it from the toolbar? That is the only reason I can think why word is automatically updating it.

A lady I used to work for used to do this, it was then my responsibility to go in and fix the formatting ect. I just used to remove her typed bullet number then reapply it using the bullet button at the top to make sure it inserted was in correctly. It didn't take that long.

Two things to try:

Right click on it and say "continue bullets and numbering" if that is an option

Type/copy the whole lot in to Notepad as plain text to remove the formatting then copy and paste it into a new Word doc. Apply the bullets & numbering from there.

**isn't

It's been done properly, each heading can be collapsed.

The 'continue numbering' button doesn't do anything.

I've tried amending the settings - File, Options, Proofing, Auto Typing/correct, and none of it does anything.

I've tried googling and can't find anything. I really don't want to have to start it from scratch but will tomorrow if I have to.

Go to multilevel post drop down (next to numbering drop down) then define new multilevel list. Select 4th level then change the number style for this level to a, b, c, ...

See if that works?

Click at the end of the penultimate bullet point and hit enter to insert a bullet point in-between it and the last one. Then cut and paste the current last one in front of the new one.

@WhenIGrowUpIWantToBeAPenguin I did that but it just reverts to 'normal' heading when I click return, so just a normal line.

@malmi Tue 10-Sep-19 15:35:16
Click at the end of the penultimate bullet point and hit enter to insert a bullet point in-between it and the last one.
That's what it's not doing. When I click return it just gives a blank normal line.

That's what it's not doing. When I click return it just gives a blank normal line

What happens if you then hit the tab key?

It just gives a normal tab

I'm just going to start the document again tomorrow myself.

If they return and click 'heading 4' if inserts a b) but they don't want that, they want it all automatic, its a document template for them to create all their documents from.

Try holding Shift key whilst clicking return.

Ohhhh! I’m with you now, sorry - I missed the formatting issue. It does same for me. Only way I could see to get it to ‘keep’ the format was to put my cursor at the start of the ‘a’ paragraph and hit enter to make some blank rows. But if I put cursor at end of the ‘a’ paragraph and hit enter it reverted to normal as you say. Not sure what else to suggest

Try holding Shift key whilst clicking return.
That moves the cursor under the previous line at the right indent but no b)

WhenIGrowUpIWantToBeAPenguin Tue 10-Sep-19 15:54:24
Ohhhh! I’m with you now, sorry - I missed the formatting issue. It does same for me. Only way I could see to get it to ‘keep’ the format was to put my cursor at the start of the ‘a’ paragraph and hit enter to make some blank rows.
That works but they won't always need multiple rows, they want b) to just appear if they need it.

I'm stumped too. I'm just going to try creating the document myself.

Have you clicked the show/hide formatting button? This can sometimes give you a better clue as to what's going on.

Also have you tried format painting from one of the correct lines to the new one you're inserting?

Good luck!

Yes I did, there's no random breaks or returns or anything.

I highlighted the whole a) line and clicked format paint and clicked return and nothing happened. Same normal line.

Oh how frustrating :(

I come across documents like that at work sometimes, it's ridiculous. Often absolutely no apparent reason for the oddities of Word.

I've had enough of it for today. I'll look at it again tomorrow.

Thank you all.