Page numbering with aditional data

[FredM]

Hello,
I will try to keep this simple. I am writing a script. Hyperthetically, for ease of explanation, let’s say it is 40 pages long, and divided into 4 acts, each comprising 10 pages.

It is a requirement to have both the page number and act number in the top right corner of the page - thus…

I-1
I-2
and so on.
As the next act this continues…
II-11
II-12
and so on.
Act numbers are in numerals, so the final act in this example is…
IV-41
IV-42

Setting up the page numbers in Headin1 is easy. I right adjust the margin and set the Courier New 12 font.

The problem comes with the Act prefix.
Adding I- before the page number creates a univeral effect. If I chage page 11 to II-11, then they all become II-.

I hope this is easily understood.

I wanted to know how to overcome the problem, and be able to add in the act numerals.
Thank you for your assistances.

[anon87010807]

If each act starts with a heading, like “Act II”, that shouldn’t be a problem at all. Just make sure that the heading is the first paragraph on the page where that act starts. You use Tools - Chapter numbering, bind level 1 to the Heading 1 paragraph style, enable numbering, set to Roman numerals, then in the Before field, enter "Act ", with a space, without the quotation marks, to get “Act 1” as title. In the header, insert a chapter number field: Insert - Field - More Fields, Document tab, select Chapter, Chapter number. (All this seemingly abstract stuff will be obvious when you execute those actions.)

See attached file.
SamplePlay.odt (11,0 KB)

[ajlittoz]

In case your act headings are not preceded by a page break, you’ll still have “Act x” in the header. The number x will the act number for the first paragraph in the page.

[ajlittoz]

Attach a sample file. A common mistake is to force list numbering with toolbar button instead of relying upon Tools>Chapter Numbering. You end up with two non correlated numbering sequences creating conflicts inside Writer. As always, direct formatting is the primary cause of evil.

[anon87010807]

@FredM

When I scroll down the manuscript to the beginning of Act II, and try to change ‘I’ to ‘II’,

Don’t try to change the automatic numbering of the acts. That should be controlled in Tools - Chapter numbering. The chapter number field in the header will then take care of updating the act number.

Added a sample file at my first answer. Hope that helps.

[ajlittoz]

This is not at all a solution to your problem. So transfer everything into your initial question by editing it. Eliminate redundancy and tidy up the problem description. Don’t forget to mention OS name and LO version.

What you type in Separator Before is fixed static text which will be repeated unchanged everywhere. I fear all you did was to assign style Heading 1 to your header which usually creates a mess.
Heading 1 should never be used in a header or footer. It should mark a real heading inside your text. I recreated your problem and what you experience is what should be expected after a clumsy bad usage of Heading 1.

For a true solution, provide a sample file.

[FredM]

Thanks for your advice. I muddled through with the example file above and resolved the isue. I can see where I went wrong regarding the Headings use. Thanks again

[anon87010807]

@FredM: Please don’t delete your posts. Other users may benefit from the discussion here. There is nothing bad or shameful about making mistakes in this kind of situation. It’s hard stuff.