DIFFERENT SETS (AND LEVELS) OF NUMBERING & HOW TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER

[Wilton PublishingServices]

I am having a problem with numbering. As there are multiple sets of numbers I have set the first number to start at 1 and set the rest of that group of numbers to be continuous. So far so good. BUT when I have a subset of numbering within that it all goes wrong. If you look at my example below (1), (2) and (3) are fine. I then have (a), (b), (c), (d) under point (3). They have come out fine using the same principle. HOWEVER when I try and continue the number list (using continuous) it comes out as 5 because it thinks it is following on from (a), (b), (c), (d). How do I get it to follow on from the numbers and not the letters? I have set up paragrap styles and (5) and (6) in the example below are the same paragraph setting as (2) & (3). Is the only way to resolve this by clicking on (5) and going to bullets and numbering and asking it to start at (4)?

(1)     ensuring that the parties are on an equal footing;

(2)     saving expense;

(3)     dealing with the case in ways which are proportionate—

          (a)     to the amount of money involved;

          (b)     to the importance of the case;

          (c)     to the complexity of the issues; and 

          (d)     to the financial position of each party;

(5)     ensuring that it is dealt with expeditiously and fairly; and 

(6)     allotting to it an appropriate share of the Courts’ resources, while taking into 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Can you post some screenshots of your settings - in each level?

Or better yet - share a sample file - with a real or some dummy contents.

[Mike Witherell · Accepted solution]

Hi Wilton P. Services,

Study this helpx file:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/bullets-numbering.html

where one of the fundamental things you will do is to define/name a custom list and also choose levels for the hierarchical inset numbering.

When you need to restart the numbering, some folks will right-click to choose either restart or continue. I like to make two paragraph styles that refer to the same list, but one is set to restart numbering while the other is set to continue numbering.

[Wilton PublishingServices]

yes I have set up 2 paragraph styles - well in fact 4 - one to start the numerical numbering and one to continue the list. And one to start the a,b,c, numbering and one to continue that list. But when you have numbering and another list within that numbering the problem arises.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Wilton PublishingServices

Can you share a sample file? 

Please click my nickname if you prefer to share it privately. 

[Wilton PublishingServices]

Do you mean send you some of the Indesign pages? 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Do you mean send you some of the Indesign pages? 

By @Wilton PublishingServices

Yes, it will be much quicker. 

You can either attach a sample INDD - or IDML file - to your post here - or upload it somewhere and send me link privately. 

[Wilton PublishingServices]

Thank Mike the link you sent is perfect with detailed information on how to create the numbering and use different levels.

[Barb Binder]

Hi @Wilton PublishingServices:

In addition to the resources that Mike provided to you, see if this blog post is helpful. I wrote it up for my students to explain how to create a nested list.

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-basic-nested-lists/

~Barb 

[Wilton PublishingServices]

Thank you this is very useful information

[Mike Witherell]

Here is a bit more useful info about numbering lists. It is about all the metacharacters you can type into the dialog box:

To include numbering prefixes from higher levels, enter text or click at the start of the Number box and choose Insert Number Placeholder and then select a Level option (for example, Level 1), or enter ^ and then the list level (for example, enter ^1). In a list with first levels numbered 1, 2, 3, and so on, and second levels numbered a, b, c, and so on, including the first-level prefix in the second level renders second-level numbers as 1a, 1b, 1c; 2a, 2b, 2c; 3a, 3b, 3c. Choose from ^# current level number, ^H chapter number, or ^1–9 for number level placeholders.

To create a number expression, enter punctuation like spaces and commas, enter metacharacters, or select options on the Insert Special Character list. Choose from ^t Tab, ^m Em Space, ^> En Space, ^_ Em Dash, ^= En Dash, ^p Paragraph Symbol, ^J Section Symbol, ^B Bullet Character, ^e Ellipsis, ^| Hair Space, ^< Thin Space, ^/ Figure space, and ^. Punctuation Space.