Participating Frequently

Question

Figure Numbers are not Sequential

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
September 2, 2021
4 replies
369 views

Hello all! I'm working with an old manual that has been edited by many hands over the years. I'm havin an issue that looks like has been around for awhile in the document but never truly fixed. I'm hoping to change that with your help.

When I look at the figure numbers they are sequential and the auto numbering works and then suddenly it doesnt. Example: Figure 4-22....4-30 and then it will go to 4-19. I look in the Paragraph Designer and it shows the same format with counter as the previous working ones

"Figure <$chapnum>< >-<n+>< >< >< >< > ". I can manually enter the number and then will have to do the same for the next few figures and then the auto counter will work again but bases it on the manual number I previously entered. This scenario happens over and over in the chapter.

This is driving me a little crazy. I'd appreaciate the help.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Barb Binder

Community Expert

Hi @Bruce5EC9 :

Were the earlier figures using overrides? When people don't understand how numbers should be defined, they tend to override them on an as needed basis. It's a short-term fix but causes issues in the long run. I suspect that is what you are dealing with.

What happens if you click at the end of Figure 4-30 and press Enter? What number appears on the next line? It it isn't 4-31, you have override issues. Since we can't see your file, I would:

Save the file first
Update Style, Remove overrides

See if the numbers straighten themselves out. If not, let us know what is happening. Any of us can help you straighten it out.

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Have you tried labeled your numbering schemes? For example: "F:Figure <$chapnum>< >-<n+>< >< >< >< > ".

I'm not a big fan of the "one scheme to rule them all" methodology. I prefer labeling each unique scheme as it is easier for others to update without breaking anything.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Bob_Niland

Community Expert

Great point. Might be more easily found in the documentation as "series label".

Bob_Niland

Community Expert

Other suspects include disconnected pages, causing Flow order disruption, and having multiple of the same auto-number para tag in a single Acnhored Frame.

frameexpert

Community Expert

Scan the document between Figure 4-30 and Figure 4-19 and there must be other paragraphs that have autonumbering set that is messing up the sequence. For example, some numbered steps. If you send me the document, I will try to find it.

If you want detailed information on FrameMaker autonumbering, check out these videos:

http://frameautomation.com/framemaker-autonumber-primer/

http://frameautomation.com/advanced-autonumber-concepts/

B

Bruce5EC9Author

Participating Frequently

Thank you for your input. That makes sense to me. Is there a way to quickly scan the document to see where the number sequence is coming from and goin to? Do the videos discuss that? Unfortunately, I'm unable to send the document due to customer restrictions.

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