Auto Number Document Headings

[Azrie]

I was wondering if there is a way to get indesign to automatically number document headings and subheadings as I add them. I'm looking for something like:

1.0 Heading 1

1.1 Subheading 1

2.0 Heading 2

2.1 Subheading 2

that will automatically update as I add or delete headings and subheadings?

Thanks!

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

You bet. I wrote up the steps for one of my students. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions:

Adobe InDesign: Numbering Chapters, Subheads, Tables & Figures - Rocky Mountain Training

[Azrie]

Thanks, that is really helpful! I have one other question, is it possible to have the auto number be one font size and colour while the rest of the font I type be another size and colour?

[Barb Binder]

Absolutely. Set up a Character style and assign the Character Style through the Bullets and Numbering dialog box.

[Azrie]

Okay so I can set up a character style but when it applies to everything i type not just the numbers. Would it be my number format I've put in:

^1.0^t

or is it something else?

[Barb Binder]

You want to make sure not to assign the character style to any of the paragraph. And if that already happened, select the text and Alt/opt click on [None] at the top of the character styles panel to remove it.

Then, just assign it to the numbers in Bullets & Numbering as per the final screen shot.

[Azrie]

Thanks, that is exactly what I had. Thanks for the help, really appreciate it!