Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Continuing Your Numbering.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 12, 2025)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
You can take advantage of a nifty Word feature that allows you to easily pick up numbering where you previously left off. This is great for numbered lists that are interspersed with paragraphs that have a different format. In general, the feature is most easily accessed as follows:
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2025-07-17 05:34:04
Barry
@Timothy.
Sometimes thngs are not what they seem!! Sorry if I have wasted your time, but it did help find the answer.
Having gone back to not only a blank document BUT also to the native Normal template the numbering function works as discribed by Allen. ie number some paras, enter some additional lines, enter anther line and format as a numbered list and this restarts at 1.
However, I have set up my own template and it includes a list numbering style. It seems that this is responsible for my number lists picking up from where it last left off.
I now have a macro triggered from the QAT thatwill reset the numbering to start at 1. Small price to pay for getting the formattingas I want it :)
2025-07-16 08:53:29
@Barry:
I apologize for getting that utterly backward.
If I reread you correctly, you're saying you have a numbered list, say 1-10, and you interrupt it. So, you're putting a paragraph or heading after 5 or something. Yes? Then the numbering gets interrupted but continues. As far as I can tell, that's just the way it works.
Starting with a blank document, enter three list items, follow those with a heading style, type another paragraph, and apply line numbering to that last paragraph. Does the line numbering still resume? For me it always restarts.
2025-07-15 04:14:32
Barry
@Timothy
That is what Allen is saying - I want to restart at 1 automatically!
2025-07-14 14:23:29
Timothy J. McGowan
@Barry:
If your list numbering doesn't pick up where the old list left off, then right-click any paragraph/line number in the second list and choose "Continue Numbering."
2025-07-12 09:39:55
Barry
My 'default' works the other way, in that after interrupting the numbered list with another style, no matter how many lines/paragraphs are in between if I then format some lines as numbered, the numbering continues from the previous numbers. I would (generally) prefer these to restart at 1. Please, how do I set this option.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
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