Microsoft KB Archive/172317

Knowledge Base

WD97: Automatic Numbered List Doesn't Work If Text Contains Tabs

Article ID: 172317

Article Last Modified on 1/20/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q172317

SYMPTOMS

If you type a number followed by some text that contains a tab, Microsoft Word will not automatically number the next paragraph when you press ENTER.

CAUSE

This functionality is by design. When you type text followed by a tab, Microsoft Word is unsure about what the intention of the item is. Tabs do not typically fall inside the text of a numbered list. Therefore, when tabs occur in the text of a numbered list, the automatic numbering feature is turned off.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods:

• Type the first numbered paragraph without the tab. After the second paragraph has been automatically numbered, go back and insert the tab in the first numbered paragraph.
  
  -or-
• Type all the information in the list, and then apply the numbering format as follows:
  
  
  1. Select the entire list of items.
  2. On the Format menu, click Bullets And Numbering, and then select the Numbered tab.
  3. Select the style that you want, and then press OK.
  NOTE: You may also apply numbering by selecting the items in the list, and then clicking the numbering button on the formatting toolbar.

MORE INFORMATION

To activate the automatic numbered lists feature, type a number followed by some text, and then press ENTER. This causes Microsoft Word to automatically number the next paragraph with the next number.

This behavior does not occur in Microsoft Word 7.x.

REFERENCES

For additional information about autoformat features of Word, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

159941 WD97: General Information about "Auto" Features in Word 97

165301 WD97: Auto Numbering Changes by One After You Press ENTER

159943 WD97: General Information About Bullets and Numbering

For more information about "automatic numbered lists," click the Office Assistant, type "automatic numbered lists," click Search, and then click one of the topics.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component

Keywords: kbfaq kbnumbering kbprb KB172317

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