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Serene_observer5E99
Inspiring
January 25, 2024
Answered

Odd numbered list?

  • January 25, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 376 views

Does anyone know if there is a way to create a numbered list that uses only odd numbers? In other words, it would look like:

1.

3. 

5.

7.

etc...

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer rob day

Hi @Serene_observer5E99 , You could try this script—select all of the numbered paragraphs before running:

var sp = app.activeDocument.selection[0].paragraphs.everyItem().getElements();
var c = 1;
for (var i = 0; i < sp.length; i++){
	sp[i].numberingContinue = false
    sp[i].numberingApplyRestartPolicy = true
	sp[i].numberingStartAt = c
	c = c + 2;
};

 

Before:

 

After:

4 replies

James Gifford—NitroPress
Legend
January 26, 2024

If this is a one-and-done need, or for a few relatively short lists, I'd just do the numbering manually. IMHO, it's only worth searching out and implementing more complex methods if lists with this numbering are frequently created or edited.

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
January 26, 2024

Hi @Serene_observer5E99 , You could try this script—select all of the numbered paragraphs before running:

var sp = app.activeDocument.selection[0].paragraphs.everyItem().getElements();
var c = 1;
for (var i = 0; i < sp.length; i++){
	sp[i].numberingContinue = false
    sp[i].numberingApplyRestartPolicy = true
	sp[i].numberingStartAt = c
	c = c + 2;
};

 

Before:

 

After:

Community Expert
January 26, 2024

There isn't anything inbuilt to help with this as @Barb Binder mentioned. Scripting also does not provide anything that can help as far as I can see. The only thing that could help is creating a plugin but I don't see anything of that sort created. Check out the following discussion which has some solution using a custom typeface

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/creating-custom-numbering-system/m-p/11129842#M186205

-Manan
Barb Binder
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 26, 2024

Not automatically, but scripting can extend the InDesign feature set. It's not my area of expertise so I'll add the scripting tag to your question. 

 

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training