2 Questions in MS Word: numbering and churning 2

[mmshrink2]

I have two questions:
First, is there anyway to turn off the automatic numbering system in Word. I often need to create documents with numbering, such as 1. 1.2 1.2.1, etc, and I like to use my own numbering formatting. However, whenever I hit the Enter key MS Word automatically takes over and puts its own system in. Apart from using Shift + Enter, rather than Enter (which is a hassle), I would like to be able to prevent MSWord from cutting in, permanently. Any ideas?

The second question is of a different nature: I have noticed recently that whenever I open MS Word for the first time, it activates my floppy drive (the light goes on and it starts churning for a few seconds). The drive itself is working fine, it just seems to be getting a check-signal from MS Word for some reason.

 

[RoyVidar]

#1 - in most versions there's some Autocorrect optionis (Tools menu) Within that, a tab for Autoformat as you type - deselect Automatic numbered lists.

But, you can also apply your own number format through bullet and numbering on the format menu, select a number format and customize - takes a bit to get used to, but works OK. Also check out the Restart Numbering and Continue previous list options there, which can also come in handy

#2 - I've seen it, but I'm not sure if I did anything to make it stop, I think it stopped when I stopped saving stuff to floppies, and used copy/paste from the harddrive in stead

Roy-Vidar

 

[eman6]

Answer to Q1:
1- On the Format menu, click Bullets and Numbering, and then click the Outline Numbered tab.
2- Double-click the list format that begins with "Article I."
3- Type the article text you want, and then press ENTER.
4- To add "Section 1.01," click Heading 2 in the Style box.
5- To create the second outline level number on the same line — for example, 1.1 — click Field on the Insert menu.
6- In the Categories box, click Numbering.
7- In the Field names box, click ListNum.
8- In the List name box, click LegalDefault, and then click OK.
9- Type the text for the list item, and then press ENTER.
10- To insert the next number at the same level — for example, 1.1.1 — press TAB to line up the numbers vertically, and then repeat steps 5 through 9.
Type the text for the list item, and then press ENTER.
11- To make the lines of text and numbers look the same as each other, you can apply the same formatting to the characters in each line of text.

(From Word Help, search outline numbering, select 'Include multipe outline numbers on a single line).

Now answer to Q2:
This happens if someone has read a file directly from the floppy (some people have this bad habbit).
Word keeps track of the most recent files, so if one of them has come from the floppy, it tries to find it.
To get rid of this:
Tools_Options_General and now find the check box 'Recently used file list'. Uncheck this, click OK and then quit Word.
Open word again, and now you can come back to this checkbox and set it on again with the number you wish.
This way you will lose track of the recent files which included the one that came from the floppy.
Make sure users don't do this again (stick a post-it on the screen).

Good luck.


Eman_2005
Technical Communicator

http://www.smartistek.com

 

[mmshrink2]

Thanks Roy,
You've solved problem #1.
With regard to problem #2, I've been using "Send To 3 1/2" for years with no such issue - so I'm puzzled about this one.

 

[mmshrink2]

Thanks very much, eman. Your fix for the churning seems to be working. After clearing the list and resetting it, it continued to churn, but stopped after I cleared it a second time; it now appears to be churning only intermittently, so I think we're on the right track here.
And thanks also for the advice on the numbering issue.

 

[eman6]

Also check Tools_Options_File Locations.
Make sure no one of them points to the floppy drive.

Eman_2005
Technical Communicator

http://www.smartistek.com

 

[mmshrink2]

Thanks again
Problems both solved.