Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Sequentially Numbering Elements in Your Document.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 16, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word allows you to automatically number items in your document. For instance, you can automatically number figures, tables, or illustrations. If you later reorder these items, Word automatically updates the numbers so they are in order. To sequentially number items in your text, follow these steps:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (92) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Sequentially Numbering Elements in Your Document.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
If you use fields in your documents, you may want to highlight them in some way so that you can find them easier. Word ...
Discover MoreIf you try to add a quote mark or a backslash as part of a field parameter or switch, you may be surprised at what you ...
Discover MoreIf you use fields to sum the information in your table columns, you might want to display a blank when the sum is zero. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2024-03-08 09:15:44
andy
Nowhere in this list do you say when or where to type the numbers? You start by saying "Position the insertion point where you want the sequential number to appear." - > Therefore where you want them to appear!!!!!!
So do you type the numbers you want before, or do we add them later?
2021-07-28 19:35:00
Audrey
This is too hard to understand without visual examples. HOW do I insert the seq field and have the numbers start at 130 then continue? Thanks for your help.
2021-07-17 13:30:28
winston
how do i sequence with a starting number such as 2001? when i follow the instructions above, it starts out with the number 1....
2019-11-05 04:29:52
Dope, this helped
2018-12-07 10:54:07
tuenral
Good job!!
Could not find this elsewhere
2018-01-11 13:49:58
katie
Hello! I already have automatic numbering set up (to change paragraph numbers automatically when paragraphs are moved within a document) but I would also like to have automatic lettering within the same document that is independent from the numbering. Example, paragraph 1 references Exhibit A, paragraph 2 references Exhibit B, so on and so forth. Currently using the above referenced method, the auto numbering lettering then follows as if the letters are a representation of the corresponding number (if that makes sense), ex: 1 B 3 C 5 D. How do I have the number sequencing independent from the letter sequence? Thank you in advance!
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Comments