WD98: Automatic Numbered List Doesn't Work If Text Contains Tabs (182157)

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 RETURN. This causes Microsoft Word to automatically number the next paragraph with the next number.

This behavior does not occur in Microsoft Word 6.x for the Macintosh.

REFERENCES

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

181892 WD98: General Information about "Auto" Features in Word 98

182165 WD98: Auto Numbering Changes by One After Pressing RETURN

180503 WD98: General Information About Bullets and Numbering

For more information about automatic numbered lists, click Contents And Index on the Help menu (or on the Balloon Help menu if you are using a version of the Macintosh operating system earlier than 8.0), click the Index button in Word Help, type the following text

automatic bullets and numbers