Messed list numbering: can I see (and change) the tree of numbering?

[lucmat]

I have an ODT document created with large parts copied from an original .docx, where after many edits I’ve broken the original list numbering, made of many sublevels.
Is there any way to understand the current tree of numbering and modify/correct it directly?

See as an example the screenshot below

If I place the cursor on what still (apparently) is level 3.1 and select Format | Bullets and numbering…, the preview is different from what I see. Then if I just select File | Export as | Export directly as PDF, numbering changes to 2.3
Looks like a precedent 2.2 level is restarted to 2.3, after my 3. level

This is confusing to me, then I’d like to understand what is the structure of numbering in my document, to clean it.

I’m running LO version 7.6.7.2 on Windows 11.

[ajlittoz]

List numbering is one of the features most diverging between Word and Writer. Word has no notion of styles, notably no list style which means you can’t identify in which a logical list item belongs.

Format>Bullets & Numbering is roughly designed and tweaked to behave more or less like Word. On the contrary, a list style defines neatly a logical list. When you apply it on a paragraph, this paragraph becomes a member of the logical list and only of this logical list. Thus, the numbering is consistent within the list.

With Format>Bullets & Numbering you have no explicit way to designate the logical list. When you initially enter your item, the new item created after Enter is obviously a member of the same list. But a new list may or may not be a part of the same logical list, depending on what you did in Format>Bullets & Numbering in between. The case is even more disastrous when you edit and add new items in a previous list.

In your case, you " created with large parts copied from an original .docx". I assume you paste as usual which also pasted and converted DOCX formatting, bringing in all the idiosyncrasies of Word list, making an unmanageable mess.

The only safe way to control list numbering is to create a dedicated list style (or use a built-in one if fit to your case) so that you apply it explicitly on the adequate items.

Unfortunately, your document is already polluted by Word translated formatting, probably beyond repair because it is very difficult to get rid of it. You should try to start from unformatted items (only the parts for the lists) upon which you apply exclusively styles without any direct formatting or inherited formatting. These styles include paragraph (for general look of items), character (you seem to use them, e.g. ListLabel 272 unless this is a by-product of conversion and you must remove it) and most important list (for indents, level and numbering).

Attach a reduced sample of your file for better analysis.

[lucmat]

The result is an horrible mess, yes.
I reassigned the list style to the broken element, and the numeration was fixed.
However, now the updated index is messed, as my fixed referenced line now appears to be right justified in the index, instead of left aligned to its level number…

Is there any way to reassign a list style?
I mean, I have list styles WWNum2, WWNum3, … WWNum48 (I suppose that naming scheme comes from the DOCX import): can I tell to set WWNum3 to WWNum48 to WWNum2 and then delete the afterward unused styles?
So far I’ve only been able to delete unused styles.

[ajlittoz]

The mess created by DOCX conversion is nearly impossible to fix easily (due to dramatic divergence in concepts). Ideally, you should get rid of WWNumx styles because they single out any occurrence of any list (which means you have zillions of “orphan” lists instead of a handful of logical lists – in usual documents 1 or 2 logical lists⁽⁺⁾). Replace them with your own styles.

If all your lists look the same, with the same significance, built-in Numbering 123 is a good choice. Customise it to your exact needs.

There is no way to batch replace list styles by another one. You must do it manually. Once a WWNumx is no longer in use, you can delete it.

I’d be curious to have a look at the document. If you prefer not to make it public, message me privately (click on the icon left of my name).

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⁽⁺⁾ Don’t confuse logical list with an occurrence of a list. A “logical” list is defined as the collection of properties configuring the appearance of items (and its bullet or numbering). This immediately translates as a list style. An “occurrence” is any group of items beginning with a number reset to its starting value (transpose for bullet list where there is no need to “reset” the bullet; but the idea is the same). This is what an author usually calls a list.

[lucmat]

Well, with some manual work I restored sanity in the document and removed most of the WWWNumx styles.
I have to edit/redact a few other documents alike, I’ll take care of the experience acquired.

I’m sorry that I can’t share even a part of the document, there’s no big secrecy, just a few contributors who are quite sensible about privacy.

[ajlittoz]

@lucmat

I have to edit/redact a few other documents alike,

Consider creating an .ott template file. This is the fastest and most reliable way to achieve consistency between documents. However the strategy requires strict and full styling. Since you mention plurality of contributors (and a DOCX genesis), I am afraid that formatting is already a contributor-induced mess by neglecting styles and excessive use of direct formatting.