
#How to format line numbers in word professional
Only then can you leave the dialog box.įor a really clean professional job, go through each of the pre-set schemes on the Outline Numbered tab and click Reset. That means that within this dialog box, you have to define the numbering you want for all your heading styles. Within this dialog box, you have to define the numbering you want for all your numbering levels without leaving the dialog box. You're now in the Customize Outline Numbered List dialog. Always choose the box that is already highlighted. Choose this and promise yourself now that, no matter what, you will never choose any of the other options here. Choose a pre-set numbering option that is similar to what you want. (In earlier versions of Word, choose Format > Style > Modify > Format, and choose Numbering.)Ĭlick the Outline Numbered Tab. Right-click where it says "Heading 1", then choose Modify > Format > Numbering. In Word 2002 and Word 2003, choose Format > Styles and Formatting. Put your cursor in a Heading 1 paragraph. Why? Because for outline-numbered styles, we will set the paragraph indent and the hanging indents (if any) when we set up the numbering. Do this even if you want your headings to be indented from the left margin, and even if you want a hanging indent. Now, modify the Paragraph settings of every Heading style so that the Left Indent is 0, and the Special indent is set to (none). Not everyone does this, but I find it useful because of the way the formatting of Word's styles cascade. Modify Heading 2 so it's based on Heading 1. Modify the Heading 1 style so that it is based on "No style".

Since there are good reasons for using Word's built-in Heading styles, this page concentrates on using those Heading styles.īefore you begin the numbering, make sure your Heading styles are set up appropriately.

The key to numbering heading is to use Styles.
#How to format line numbers in word how to
If you have Word 2007 or Word 2010, see How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in Word 2007 and Word 2010. This page is about setting up numbered headings in Word 2003 and earlier versions. How you set up numbered headings depends on what version of Word you have. The styles will manage the numbering and the indents. They're not what you need either.ģ Apply styles to your headings, preferably Word's built-in Heading styles.Ĥ Modify the styles so you can have the font, paragraph and other formatting to suit your needs.ĥ Modify the numbering and indenting by modifying the numbering settings of the Heading styles. They look inviting, but they're not what you need.Ģ Don't use the toolbar numbering or bullet buttons. How to number headings and outlines in Word:ġ Don't use Format > Paragraph and don't use Format > Bullets and Numbering.
