How do i fix paragraph numbering problem

[mememe]

I am having problems with paragraph numbering. I have got to paragraph 9.3.3 which has 4 sub paragraphs a to d. I want to continue with 9.3.4 after d but its keeps numbering it e.

I want it to look like

9.3.3 Heading text text text

  a text text text

  b text text text

  c text text text

 d  text text text

9.3.4 Heading text text text

but rather than the line above, I get

e Heading text text text

I am pressing cntrl and 3 to set Heading level 3. Pressing shift and tab before the paragraph does nothing. I am selecting Bullets and numbering and then continue previous numbering. The numbering has worked up to this point though I did have to fiddle around when I inserted a landscape page but managed to get contiguous numbering working again after that. I am using LO 6.3.5.2. Thanks

[ajlittoz]

Please edit your question to give more details (answers are reserved for solutions).

How do you number your paragraphs? With a specific character style or the numbering button in the toolbar?

What is your procedure to change level? Going to 9.3.3 to 9.3.3.a

Have you tried Shift+Tab when Writer proposes 9.3.3.e before typing the paragraph?

[ajlittoz]

You are mixing two concepts: chapter numbering and list numbering.

The Heading n family of paragraph styles marks the paragraphs as belonging to the document outline. There is one Heading n per level. Chapter numbering is controlled by Tools>Chapter Numbering and you must absolutely never try to change it/customise it with the toolbar button which are intended for lists.

Your “Heading text text text” is styled with Heading 3, without any addition. By default chapter numbering in not enabled. refrain from adding numbers with the toolbar button, you’ll be heading into trouble. Instead, use Tools>Chapter Numbering to describe level per level how your numbering should look like.

Your “text text text” paragraph are the at level 4 and should be styled Heading 4. Once again go to Tools>Numbering to suppress display of numbers for levels 1-3 leaving only the alphabetic numbering of level 4.

Don’t use Format>Bullets & Numbering otherwise numbering will not be synchronised with your Heading n paragraphs.

I won’t give you detailed step-by-step procedure so that you take the time to experiment and discover the feature. It is the best way to learn. In particular, learn and make profit of the difference between outline (chapter) paragraphs and lists.

To show the community your question has been answered, click the ✓ next to the correct answer, and “upvote” by clicking on the ^ arrow of any helpful answers. These are the mechanisms for communicating the quality of the Q&A on this site. Thanks!

In case you need clarification, edit your question (not an answer) or comment the relevant answer.

[mememe]

Followed the gist of the response from ajlittoz and ended up totally reformatting/renumbering the document. Its a bit frustrating that it all appeared to be OK in terms of numbering, indexing etc without any warning that what I was doing was wrong.

[ajlittoz]

Never consider such and such feature can be driven “intuitively”. “Intuition” is based on the assumption that tacit rules are universally shared. Instead, read the documentation, even if you think your workflow is “obvious”, at least when you begin to use a new application.

Conceptually, chapter headings and lists are separate notions. Consequently, don’t mix them unless you totally master the concepts, have a clear and precisely defined requirement and know perfectly what you are doing.