Help with automatic figure numbering

[claire_3045]

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!

[jmlevy]

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.

[claire_3045]

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?

[claire_3045]

Sorry to double reply. I just thought about this. So is there a way to make sure that each figure updates whenever you add a new one? So example: I want to add a new figure inbetween Figure 8 and Figure 9. Is there a way that the new figure becomes Figure 9, and then Figure 9 becomes Figure 10 automatically? I hope that makes sense

[Peter Kahrel]

Makes perfect sense. Two ways to deal with added figures: either use Barb's method of threading frames, so that you can later add a frame somewhere in the thread. Or use the method I described on the linked web page -- either manually or using the script.

[claire_3045]

Thank you! That makes sense. Is there a way to simultaneously anchor the figure image + caption to text while having the caption frame threaded? Attached screenshot to show what I'm talking about. 

[Barb Binder]

One way is to cut/paste the images as inline images on an empty paragraph above each caption.

~Barb

[jmlevy]

When this occurs, what I do is to select the frame I want to be the first one, then cut it and paste it in place. Since it's the last created it becomes the last number. I repeat this process with the one that I want to be the second one: it becomes the last and the former one the penultimate, and so on until I reach the last one.

[Barb Binder]

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

~Barb

[Peter Kahrel]

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.