A simple numbering question

[Andy Kass]

Thanks for everyone's input, though it mostly confirms the two problems I listed.

I already have 4 levels of headings and Table, Figure, and Code Listing numbering in one series, so I don't really want to add 2 more levels everywhere (and duplicate the work in the appendix numbering series--but for that I should've used $chapnum). It was hard enough to debug, and with this, I'd have to add the autonumber series to most of my paragraph tags, not just the numbered ones.

And I am reluctant to require some sort of intro paragraph, because I often use the heading as an intro (but not always) so that it shows up in the TOC. So that will give me sections like this:

   4.3.2.1 Copying a File

   To copy a file:

   1. Select the file ...

In my situation, it seems like numbered list (and step) numbering will always be a 2-format deal (Numbered and NumberedFirst).

Regards,

  Andy

----- "Jay Mahler" <jay at mahler.com> wrote:

> 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
> 
> ----------
> 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
> Message-ID:
>        
> <2827841E8340F047862E0808EF03C9D91E754488E8 at winxbeus16.exchange.xchg>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> 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