How to Automatically Number Headings for PDF Export in LibreOffice Writer?

[techyy1234]

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a long document in LibreOffice Writer that I plan to export as a PDF. I’ve set up my headings using the built-in Heading 1, Heading 2, etc., but I’m struggling to get consistent automatic numbering (e.g., 1., 1.1, 1.1.1).

I’d like:

Heading 1 → 1, 2, 3…
Heading 2 → 1.1, 1.2, etc.
Heading 3 → 1.1.1, 1.1.2, etc.

Right now, either the numbering is inconsistent or the PDF shows unexpected formatting after export.

I’ve tried adjusting the Styles → Manage Styles → Numbering settings and experimenting with Tools → Chapter Numbering, but I’m still not getting the result I want.

1. What’s the correct way to set up multi-level numbering for headings in LibreOffice?
2. Is there anything special I need to do before exporting to PDF so the numbering stays intact?
3. Are there known quirks with certain versions of LibreOffice around this?

Thanks in advance!

[EarnestAl]

@techyy1234

I’ve tried adjusting the Styles → Manage Styles → Numbering settings and experimenting with Tools → Chapter Numbering, but I’m still not getting the result I want.

It sounds as if you are mixing list styles with Heading Numbering and getting mixed results.

You might want to look at this question, Outline numbering doesn't work for Body Text , and then work out how deep you want your numbering to go and if you could live with the workaround I suggested in Comment 4

[Edit]
Just make sure that you set the number for Show sublevels to the same as the heading level. If you want every paragraph to have a numbered level, e.g. 1.1.2.3.4.1, then you will need to set your main body text to a Heading n style, not Body Text, so make sure you have worked out the depth of the levels you will be using.

[Strider22]

It is hard to guess what you are seeing so this answer is a guess too.

I notice that sometimes updating a heading does not affect all headings of the same level in the document.

Make a copy of the document for this test. Try select all in document and then in the style box on the left select the arrow and update the style.

Other problem I see is some numbers are auto-generated but other editors have hard typed the numbers. Those should show two sets of numbers - delete the ones on the right not the left.

Have fun.