How to do Reverse/custom enumerations (number ranges?)

[Gekimina]

Hello,

I am trying to write a description text of my film negatives (just a simple numbered list), but would like to have custom values for the numbers. The negatives have numbers on them which are marked with 1,2,3,4,5…36; but funnily my camera processes them in reverse, so the actual first photo is 36, then 35, down to 1. And on other negative frames, it can even be 76, 74, 72 etc (a bit weird).
Anyway, I would like to have the numbered list therefore in the order how the photos were shot (basically just reverse, but keep the numbers). So my idea is to have something like this:

36. First photo in whereever
37. Second photo.
38. Third photo. blablala

I read now a bit about number ranges (because somebody somewhere mentioned that it would be possible with them), but somehow i’m struggling how to use them or even what to put there. There is only this one “value” field, but can I add multiple entries in there which will be used one after another? I tried 36,35,34 which did not work, 36;35;34 or 36 35 34 etc. also didn’t work.

Also not sure how I can then use them as the basis for the enumeration.

Or am I completely on the wrong track?

Thanks for your help

[ajlittoz]

Unfortunately Number ranges increase monotonically. You can restart the sequence at any number but it remains increasing.

Therefore to number paragraphs in decreasing order, you must reset the number each time (forcing it manually). This completely defeats the automatic numbering.

Anyway, since you are copying the number from the film negative, this number is not an “enumeration index” but an intrinsic property of the image. Then, you should enter it manually.

However, if you want to ba able to shuffle your paragraphs in the list and get a monotonic sequence of numbers, you can do this with a variable.

At beginning of your list, Insert>Field>More Fields (or faster Insert>Cross-reference), Variables tab:

1. Type Set variable
2. choose variable Name, something like shot
3. Value, e.g. 36
4. Insert

For subsequent paragraphs, insertion parameters are:

1. Type Set variable
2. previous Name, e.g. shot
3. Value, “shot - 2” (without quotes) to decrease number by 2
4. Insert

As you see, his is more work than entering number by hand. You can reorder the paragraphs (pay special attention to the first one which is different from the other) but the number no longer designates the same picture.

So, all in all, I think there is little benefit trying to “automate” the job.