How to Auto Number in Word

To auto number in Word, select the lines you want to number and choose Home > Numbering, or type 1. followed by a space at the start of a line and Word starts a numbered list for you. Each time you press Enter, the next number appears, and Word renumbers the list when you add, move or delete items. Word can also number headings (1, 1.1, 1.2), table rows, and figure and table captions automatically.

Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac, and Word for the web for basic lists.

Create a numbered list

1. Select the lines you want to number, or click where the list should start.
2. Select Home > Numbering (the button with 1, 2, 3).
3. To choose a different style, such as a), b), c) or i., ii., iii., select the arrow next to Numbering and pick one.
4. Press Enter to add the next item. Press Enter twice to end the list.

Shortcut: type 1. or 1) and a space at the start of a paragraph. Word converts it to an automatic list. Press Ctrl + Z right away if you wanted plain text.

Restart or continue numbering

• Start again at 1: right-click the first number of the new list and choose Restart at 1.
• Carry on from an earlier list: right-click the number and choose Continue Numbering.
• Start at any number: right-click, choose Set Numbering Value, enter the number and select OK.

Numbers that jump, repeat or won’t line up usually need a closer look; fixing numbering in Word covers those problems.

Make a multilevel list

1. Select Home > Multilevel List and choose a style, such as 1, 1.1, 1.1.1.
2. Type the first item and press Enter.
3. Press Tab to move the next item down a level (1.1), or Shift + Tab to move it back up.

To change how each level looks, select Multilevel List > Define New Multilevel List, pick a level and set its number style and indent.

Number your headings

For reports and manuals with numbered sections:

1. Apply Heading 1, Heading 2 and Heading 3 styles to your headings.
2. Click in the first Heading 1.
3. Select Home > Multilevel List and choose a style from the gallery that shows Heading 1, Heading 2 in its preview.

Every heading in the document is numbered, and the numbers update when you add or move sections. They also appear in a table of contents once you add a table of contents in Word.

Number rows in a table

1. Add a column for the numbers, if you don’t have one.
2. Select the cells in that column, without the header row.
3. Select Home > Numbering.

Each cell gets a number, and new rows are numbered automatically. To remove the dot after the number, select the arrow next to Numbering > Define New Number Format and delete the period in Number format.

Number figures and tables

1. Select a picture or table.
2. Select References > Insert Caption.
3. Choose the Label, such as Figure or Table, type the caption text and select OK.

Word numbers them in order (Figure 1, Figure 2) and renumbers them when you add more. Press Ctrl + A and then F9 to update all the numbers after moving things around.

Number anything with a field

For a counter inside normal text, such as “Question 1”, “Question 2”, use a sequence field. Press Ctrl + F9 to insert field braces, type SEQ Question inside them, and press F9. Copy the field wherever the next number should go, then select everything and press F9 to update the count.

Turn off automatic numbering

1. Select File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
2. Open the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
3. Clear Automatic numbered lists and select OK.

To stop one list without changing the setting, select the AutoCorrect Options lightning bolt that appears and choose Undo Automatic Numbering.

Troubleshooting

The new list continues from the old one

Right-click the first number and choose Restart at 1.

The numbers are a different font or size from the text

Click a number to select all the numbers in that list, then change the font on the Home tab.

You meant page numbers

Page numbers are set up in the header or footer instead; follow numbering pages in Word.

Working in a spreadsheet instead? Here’s how to number a column in Excel.