Outline in Word97

Someone will probably have a better answer (which I eagerly await) but what I have had to do is go to "B", "Enter" - which gives me a "C", then copy the subs for B which are now under C back to B.  Cumbersome, but it gets the job done.  

thanks, that gets it done  but is not the answer I need.  There must be a setting a manner of working with outlines that does not require retreating to level 1 after completing a sublevel.

Perhaps you all have an unpatched Word, this one had problems with the indention (if unsure see Help About)

In _my_ Word at home (Office 97 SR-1) I use the following for multilevel outlining:

a) In Format/Bullets&Numbering take NumberedOutline highlight the one that comes closest and customize the levels as you need them.

b) As for continuing with C, use the unindent icon (View/Toolbar/Formatting, which I always keep open)

If you need more please ask, but I can not answer today.

The "unindent" will move the item to the left, but it won't continue the coding of the other lines at the place.  For instance :
A.
B.
    1.
    2.
If I now want C. I can "unindent" to the C position, but the item will retain the numbering of the subset.  Instead of being C, it will be 3. but out at the C position.  

The Word Outline format is no better.  If anyone has a way around this, I'll add 100 points to d50041's 50.  I use outlines a lot and it would be very helpful.

Flake, what Word version and service release do you have ? If unsure, Help/About

Flake, if you still using Word 95 (aka 7), then this would explain your suffering, saw many articles in MSKB concerning problems with the indention.

If you have Word 97, then either it is an unofficial bugfix , I did not see it in the SR-1 list of MS-Office 97, or, as it works in my SR-1 and SR-2, you are doing something wrong:  

OFF97: List of Fixed Problems in Office 97 for Windows, SR- 1
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q172/9/95.ASP 

WD97: List of Fixed Problems in Word 97 for Windows, Service Release 1
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q171/1/59.ASP

OFF97: An Overview of Microsoft Office 97 SR-2
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q192/8/74.ASP

When I posted the question I should have added that I do have SR2 loaded.  
to cri: One should not have to make a "custom" outline to back up one level, but your suggestion might be a work around, your second suggestion does not work, just repeats the original problem, that of backing up one level.  Apparently with WORD97, once you generate sublevels, you can only detent to the first level, which is ny problem, and apparently others have this same issue.

d50041, I mentioned the custom outline _only_ because your "1/A/a" is not in the standard MS-Office 97 Format/Bullets&Numbering _Outline NUMBERED_ dialog. As a.m., it works nicely in both versions I use (SR-1 & SR-2, english), I can even jump one level (like 1/a).
 
PS: Do not understand your remark about my second suggestion. If it is the b) of my first post then this used together with a).

sorry cri, you are providing good feedback and I have confused the issue.  I only used the 1/A/a to describe the problem clearly, apparently I failed,  I use pure bullets, the problem is in the indents, or rather my inability to be at the 3rd level detent and go back to the 2ed, WORD97 goes all the way back to the 1st.  The unindent icon takes me back to the 1st level using bullet outline format.  I just tried this with number outline format and the same problem exists, is at the 3rd level detent, I want to go back to the 2ed level, WORD97 takes me back to the 1st level detent.

I've a workaround, not a solution...
- I work with outlines to define the bullets I want and
- use the format painter when I want to unindent one level or more
d:o)

Finally got it: You are all misusing the 'Bulleted' outline, which only (should only) have one level.
If you want to have more levels use, as stated before, the last tab i.e. 'Outline Numbered' or the equivalent in your language. The closest for d50041 is the fourth in the top row, so you must customize it to give the wanted bullet/bullet/bullet.

PS: Personally I think this is not good as only the horizontal position gives an indication regarding the paragraphs hierarchy, but this is a matter of preference  

cri, thanks for the effort but your response is not correct.  I have tried many of the alternative formats.  The question is NOT about using bullets.  The question is that WORD97 detents from level three to level one using ANY outline format.  Apparently you cannot detent from level three to level two.  

d540001, one last try and then I give up: What do you mean with any outline format ? How do you define these outline levels ? IF not Format/Bullets&Numbering _OutlineNumbered, do you mean applying _your_ heading1, heading2, etc. ? If not, I might be able to help if you record a macro and paste it here. However, should this be a joke question, then please stop it.

Flake, are you the same opinion as d50041 ?

not a joke at all, but this is an example of how hard it can be to describe a problem. This is not a heading problem, not a customization problem, and should not be a problem that requires a macro.  The ability to detent in an outline is a basic function, I can not seem to find out why this does not work.
I do not define any outline, I use defaults.
It does not matter what outline format I choose, the problem exits across all formats.
Format/bullets and numbering
Pick ANY outline format
I cannot detent from level three to level one
I can detent from level four to level three.

d50041, this is really though one, must be language problem and/or you no having english Word.
a) Headings can be used for outline purposes
b) I mentioned the macro in order for you _recording_ what you actually _do_ when you define your outline so that I or another expert can retrace_ your steps and settle this matter.
I can only assure that it works on my machines, home and work.  
Flake where are you ?

Hi

How are you "promoting"?  Mine works fine....i.e. Format, Bullets & Numbering, Outline numbering, pick the bullet format, then type away, using TAB and SHIFT TAB to demote/promote the levels.  

Just check though, in Format, Bullets & Numbering, Outline Numbering, Customise, click "More" and check the "Link to Style" setting for level 3.  If it is attached to a style, then that style definition may have level 1 set as the "Style to follow" - this may cause level 2 to be skipped.

Also try disabling any autoformat options related to bulleted lists (Tools, Autocorrect, Autoformat as you type, turn off things like "Apply as you type: Automatic Bulleted Lists" and  the bottom two options (something about formatting a list entry like the one above, and basing styles on manual formatting)

We use outline numbering etc extensively here too, with no problems - so I'm curious as to what is causing yours

Cheers
Struds

Our usual server problem.  I actually answered yesterday and it appeared as though it went through but today my answer isn't here.  OK - I'm still with d50041 - can't get the outline to automatically go to the previous level.  Struds - you made some good points - I'm going to scrutinize my settings as suggested.  Will be busy this morning, but should get to it later today and will get back.

Another oddity in outlines (part of my disappeared message) - if I have the following:
1.
  A.
     a.
     b.

When I enter a B. with sublevels, Word will continue the count from A., Making it
  B.
     c.
     d.
I have to go back into Format/Bullets to make it start the count from the beginning.
Later, people.  Have to do something to earn my keep around here.

Struds - you had it.  I disabled the autoformat stuff and it works like a charm.  I can go back and forth and it changes correctly.  It also solved the numbering problem I mentioned above.  It starts renumbering at each sublevel.  I'm posting a "Q for Struds" to give you my 100 points.  If you're still around, d50041, this is the answer.

Can only be the styles dependences. I have the all the autoformat options mentioned by Struds checked and it works. And the MSKB did not mention a thing for Office 97.  

 One
 One
   Two
     Three
       Four
         Five
     Three
 One
This is what happens with bullets; at level 5 a single detent jumps back 2 levels, at level three, same thing, a detent jumps back to level one.  I tried all Struds ideas, they work for numbered outlines, so thanks, but NOT for bulleted outlines.

d50041: Only way to help you is:  P l e a s e, record this macro.