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Participating Frequently
November 3, 2025
Question

Help with automatic figure numbering

  • November 3, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 165 views

Hello!

I was able to successfully input automatic figure numbering using a defined list and the bullets and numbering paragraph style. It works perfectly in my test document. However, on the actual document I am using it on, it does not number them in order.

So I'll start with the first figure and it's labeled correctly as Figure 1. But then, when I go to Figure 2, it suddenly becomes Figure 1 and the original Figure 1 becomes Figure 2. If I continue, even more figures are out of order in random ways.

I hope that makes sense. I've included pictures of how I have my style set up:

Thanks for any help/advice!

3 replies

Peter Kahrel
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 3, 2025

Jean-Marc's comment needs one small addition: numbering is chronological on pages, but across pages it is correct. That makes fixing the numbering a bit easier.

 

Barb's suggestion works fine if you can thread the frames that contain the numbered paragraphs. But if you can't (or don't want to, because adding a frame somewhere can be a hassle), then you can use this script to fix the numbering:

https://creativepro.com/files/kahrel/indesign/paragraph-numbering-fix.html

 

Before you use it, save and store your documents in a safe place to be on the safe side. I've used the script in one text only so far, and it works well in there, but be careful.

 

P.

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 3, 2025

And, numbering is most predictable when using threaded frames because then InDesign knows the order and always increments correctly. 

 

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
jmlevy
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 3, 2025

Hi @claire_3045 

The numbering order does NOT depend on the position on the page, but on the chronological order in which the frames were created.

Participating Frequently
November 4, 2025

Ok I think this might be my issue - I have no idea the actual order they were created haha. So I just need to redo each text frame in order to get them to number correctly?