Right aligned numbers in numbered lists in paragraph styles

[Fritz Hansen]

Is there a way (in InDesign 5.5) to create a numbered list in a paragraph style that makes the numbers right aligned, so that a two-digit number aligns to the right, making the space between the number and the text equal regardless of whether it's a one- or two-digit number? I can do it manually with two tabs, but the Bullets & Numbering dialog in Paragraph Style Options only allows for one tab position. It would be handy to be able to automate this kind of numbering.

[Jongware · Accepted solution]

http://indesignsecrets.com/how-can-i-align-double-digits-in-a-numbered-list.php

[MT.Freelance]

Yes, but it isn't intuitive at first. See the screenshot.

Set your Alignment to Right

Set the Tab position and left indent to accommodate the numbers

[Fritz Hansen]

Thanks. 's answer came in moments before yours did, and I apparently can't give you both credit for Correct Answer.

[Peter_B__Bailey]

Uh, this is exactly what I need help with, too. I understand what's being said above, but, when I go into my paragraph style, all of the registers in the bullets/numbering option are locked. I can't do anything in there! I'm using InDesign CC on a Mac. And, obviously, I do need to create a new tab, right? One for the number itself, accomodating two (three, four?) digits. This is not easy.

Cheers,

Peter

[Sandee Cohen]

Have you set the List Type to Numbers?

[Peter_B__Bailey]

Yes.

[Peter_B__Bailey]

I figured it out. Thanks. I just couldn't quite see the values in the examples above. The tab value and the left indent value need to be the same. Then, I modify the first line indent until two numbers are accommodated, or three, or whatever. I created a character style for just the numbers that uses metric kerning instead of optical. That's a really cool trick that it can do that, that it can have a character style for just the numbers! That way, the numbers won't kern against each other and create discrepancies in alignment.

Thank you!