Discussion on:

Office solution: How to continue numbering from one table column to another

Hi Susan

Can you explain what was wrong with my solution, please (http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-366682?tag=discussion-asset-thread)? I set it up for Word 2003, but I assume it would work in other versions.

I know it isn't a "pure" table-only solution, but it seemed to me to fulfil the requirements, especially the one relating to the ability to renumber when further cells are added.

Many thanks.

Mike Boardman

I missed the original discussion so I will throw a suggestion in now.

If you create two tables with one column each, one above the other, Select them both and insert numbering. Then add a second column to the bottom table.

Move the bottom table up to the right of the top table. To align them adjust the table propeties of the left table to "Allow overlap" and horizntal positioning to a margin distance from the edge of the page and vertical positioning to 0 cm from the paragraph. For the second table adjust to "Allow overlap" and horizontal positioning to the margin plus the width of the first table and the vertical positioning to 0 cm from the paragraph. it will now look like you have only one table with three columns.

This is more work to setup but if you expect to add or remove rows it may be worth it since you just add the same number of rows to each table and the numbering takes care of itself.

Select the entire table using the Table Select tool then click the Numbering command. Word will number down the first column, then go to the next, and so on, using the correct numbering sequence. If you wish to add another item in any column, click at the end of the previous item in the column, press Enter and the new line will be correctly numbered.