A simple numbering question

[Jay Mahler]

Andy,

To answer your question, yes, you need to reset your list numbering in every paragraph type that could come between numbered lists. This generally isn't a large set of tags for the document formats I use. I often have a Numbered-cont paragraph tag that I use when numbered items may end up being more than one paragraph. This paragraph style indents and doesn't clear any of the auto-numbers. 

Regarding your example of a figure anchor paragraph, I generally try to avoid this technique. I know many Framers use a special anchor paragraph to keep figure numbers/captions with the anchored frame, but I prefer to put the anchor at the end of the paragraph that first references the figure. To keep the figure number with the anchored frame, I'll put a text frame inside of the graphic anchored frame at the bottom and house the figure caption inside the graphic's anchored frame. 

Frankly, all of my clients lately have had predefined templates that use the Numbered-1, Numbered, etc., and Anchor paragraph techniques, so I haven't practiced what I'm preaching here in several years.

Regarding your second point, the last time I did this, I used a fairly complex auto-numbering series. For example, assume that I have a document that requires a chapter numbers, Heading 1 numbers, and Heading 2 numbers, Numbered list, Lettered (sub) lists, Figure numbers, and Table numbers, the auto-number formats would be something like this:

Chapter: N:<n+>< =0>< =0>< =0>< =0>< =0>< =0>
Heading 1: N:<n>.<n+>< =0>< =0>< =0>
Heading  2: N:<n>.<n>.<n+>< =0>< =0>
Body: N:< >< >< >< =0>< =0>
Numbered: N: < >< >< ><n+>< =0>
Lettered: N: < >< >< >< ><a+>
Figure: Figure <n>-< >< >< >< ><n+> 
Table: Table <n>-< >< >< >< >< ><n+>

This assumes that figure and table numbers have the <chapter>-<number> format, and they reset to one for each new chapter. I don't remember if I needed the empty < > for Figure and Table numbers on paragraph tags that didn't reset or use those numbers.

I guess the bottom line is that this auto-numbering style is more complex, but you only need to do it once. With the explicit set to one numbering, you're always having to select one of two style for each type of numbering. You also need to revisit the paragraph style if you ever enter a new Numbered-1 above the old one.

Jay
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Kass [mailto:akass at jaspersoft.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 4:25 PM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com; Jay Mahler
Subject: RE: A simple numbering question

Hi,

At first, I really liked Jay's idea. Those NumberedFirst and NumberedAlphaFirst para tags in my own templates have been bothering me for quite a while.

But the more I think about it, the less I think it is practical, or even possible. I see two problems:

1. With this solution, you need to reset your list numbering in every paragraph type that could come between numbered lists, but not in ones that are allowed inside a numbered list. And I'm not sure those two groups are mutually exclusive. For example, I could have a figure (in my figure anchor paragraph) both as a separator (and nothing else) between procedures and as a illustration inside a procedure.

2. Any tag that may separate numbered lists (by itself) cannot have its own numbering (because paragraphs can have only one autonumber series). So I cannot use headings alone between lists, unless I put all my autonumbering into a single series, but that would be even more confusing.

I am wondering how you solved these problems. From what I see, you need to have usage rules such as "always put an intro paragraph or instruction lead-in" before a procedure (so that lists are separated and numbering is reset), or you need a more complicated numbering format on all your tags. And both of those seem more complex and error-prone than the NumberedFirst para tags.

Thanks,

  Andy

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Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 13:58:56 -0400
From: Jay Mahler <jay at mahler.com>
To: "framers at lists.frameusers.com" <framers at lists.frameusers.com>
Subject: RE: A simple numbering question
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I agree. Zeroing lists with Body tags and some lists on each chapter or header tag is something I highly recommend. My Numbering format for Body tags often look something like this: N:< =0>< =0>< =0>

Then, I can have simple formats for Numbered, Numbered-A, Numbered-a, etc. There is nothing I hate more than a template required by a client that has a bunch of Numbered-1, Numbered; Numbered-A-1, Numbered-A, etc. formats. It just makes the document harder to maintain.

Jay Mahler