Numbered list across different text boxes

[chamilila]

Hey everyone! 

I'm trying to create the headers of an index in Illustrator. So, I'd like a numbered list with all my sections and then be able to break up that list into individual text boxes, so I can list the subsections below. Something like this: 

But when I break up the list into new text boxes, the numbers seem to reset, which is really annoying. Is there any way to maintain the numbering across different text boxes?

When I resize the text box, I get the ACTUAL numbers I want over it, like the continued numbers. Which is weird because that only shows up when manipulating the tex box. 

Does anyone know if it's possible to keep the original numbers across multiple text boxes?

Thank you!

[Doug A Roberts]

Are you using threaded text boxes?

[chamilila]

Yes

[Doug A Roberts]

Likewise, I don't see numbers resetting in threaded text boxes:

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

So creating a text box and then the numbering and later resizing the box and splitting it up across multiple text boxes and then resizing it again keeps the numbering for me.

Can you please show screenshots of each step?

It's the same paragraph style you apply to all the text, right?

[chamilila]

That actually did work. But I'm not sure what the difference is with the previous text box, because they have the same text style. It's a mystery lol. Thank you so much!

[Caly220566468yn5]

This exact problem is actually happening to me -
In illustrator - and I can not get it to correct no matter what I try - 
And I'm using Illustrator 2025*

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Caly220566468yn5,

Could you share a sample file and a small screen recording of your exact workflow and the problem, so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

[Caly220566468yn5]

Actually I found my answer!
I couldnt get it to work with just stringing text boxes >>

So I had to find a work-around. 
It's still not perfect because you cant make individual adjustments to the text box widths and cant separate them across the document - but it works if you just need to divid the text into columns and keep the numbering consistent. 

You need to adjust the TYPE > AREA TYPE OPTIONS
settings - adjust it to have multiple columns

[Doug A Roberts]

If you have a chance, can you list the steps you took in your first example that didn't work? It works as expected for me and I can't seem to get it to not work.

Steps:

1. Create a single text box, apply numbering

2. Scale the text box so some of the list is overset.

3. Click the overset symbol to load the cursor

4. Click and drag to create a new linked text box.

It also worked fine if I created a new blank text box, then linked the two.

[Kurt Gold]

In your version that does not work as expected, turn on "Show Hidden Characters" in the Type menu and check if there are any additional paragraph breaks or line breaks. That could explain the issue.

[pixxxelschubser]

@chamilila 

That is not an answer to your question.

However, InDesign is clearly better suited for such tasks.

Do you have experience with InDesign? Would that perhaps be an alternative for you?

[chamilila]

Thank you @pixxxelschubser , I do have experience with inDesign. However, this set of documents have already been designed in Illustrator so it would have been a much more time-consuming task to import/migrate the designs and I managed to do it the way Monika suggested for the numbered lists.

[pixxxelschubser]

Unfortunately I don't know your project.

But if it is to be a recurring project:

Maybe in the next edition of your project? Maybe the effort for a new creation in InDesign is worth it very quickly?