WD: Bullet Replaces Leading Number in Paragraph

ID: Q81055

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, when you create a list or paragraphs containing bullets, Word replaces any leading numbers or a single letter followed by a period (an initial, for example) in the paragraphs or list items with the bullet character.

CAUSE

Word does not allow both a number and a bullet to appear at the beginning of a paragraph or list item when you use the Bullets and Numbering command.

WORKAROUND

To prevent Word from removing leading numbers from paragraphs or lists that you want to format with bullets, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Insert an Optional Hyphen

Press CTRL+HYPHEN (COMMAND+HYPEN if you are using Word for the Macintosh).

Type the number, followed by the text you want.

Select the numbered text, and then on the Tools menu, click Bullets and Numbering.

On the Bullet tab, click to select the desired bullet and then click OK.

On the Edit menu, click Replace.

In the Find what box, press CTRL+HYPHEN (COMMAND+HYPHEN if you are using Word for the Macintosh), leave the Replace with box blank, and then click Replace All.

Method 2: Place the Number in a QUOTE Field

Press CTRL+F9 to insert field braces (COMMAND+F9 if you are using Word for the Macintosh).

Type quote, and press the SPACEBAR.

Type the number you want between the quotation marks. For example, the field code should appear as follows:


{quote "12.2"}

Press F9 to update the display results.

Method 3: Use a Macro

NOTE: This macro cannot be used with either Word 97 or Word 98 Macintosh Edition.

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http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/

The following WordBasic macro can replace the ToolsBulletListDefault macro, which is assigned to the Bulleted List toolbar button. The macro automates the typing of unique characters in front of the numbers prior to adding bullets.


   Sub MAIN

      If Len(Selection$()) = 1 Then 
         EditGoTo .Destination = "\Para"
      EndIf

      ToolsBulletsNumbers .Type = 0, .Replace = 1, .Remove
      EditBookmark .Name = "bulletselection", .Add CharLeft 1
      n = CmpBookmarks("\Sel", "bulletselection")
      While n = 8 Or n = 6
         CharRight 1, 1
         If Asc(Selection$()) = 9 Then
            EditClear
         Else
            CharLeft 1
         EndIf
         Insert Chr$(31)
         CharLeft
         FormatNumberDefault
         EditClear
         EndOfLine
         n = CmpBookmarks("\Sel", "\EndOfDoc")
         If n <> 0 Then
            ParaDown
            StartOfLine
            n = CmpBookmarks("\Sel", "bulletselection")
         EndIf
      Wend
      EditGoTo .Destination = "bulletselection"
      EditBookmark .Name = "bulletselection", .Delete
   End Sub

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbmacro kbformat
Version : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:6.0
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbprb