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Defining lists

A defined list can be interrupted by other paragraphs and lists, and can span different stories and different documents in a book. For example, use defined lists to create a multi-level outline, or to create a running list of numbered table names throughout your document. You can also define lists for separately numbered or bulleted items that are mixed together. For example, in a list of questions and answers, define one list for numbering the questions and another for numbering the answers.

Defined lists are often used to track paragraphs for numbering purposes. When you create a paragraph style for numbering, you can assign the style to a defined list, and paragraphs are numbered in that style according to where they appear in the defined list. The first paragraph to appear is given number 1 (“Table 1”), for example, and the next paragraph is given number 2 (“Table 2”), even if it appears several pages later. Because both paragraphs belong to the same defined list, they can be numbered consecutively no matter how far apart they are in the document or book.

Define a new list for each type of item you want to number—step-by-step instructions, tables, and figures, for example. By defining multiple lists, you can interrupt one list with another and maintain number sequences in each list.

Defined lists let you interrupt one list with another.

For a video on creating bulleted and numbered lists, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0077.

Define a list

  1. Choose Type > Bulleted and Numbered Lists > Define Lists.
  2. Click New in the Define Lists dialog box.
  3. Enter a name for the list, choose whether you want to continue numbering across stories, and continue numbering from previous documents in your book.
  4. Click OK twice.

After you define a list, you can use it in a paragraph style, such as a style for tables, figures, or ordered lists, as well as apply it by way of the Control panel and Paragraph panel.

Note: Some lists are defined automatically. For example, when you import a numbered list from a Microsoft Word document, InDesign defines a list automatically for your document.

Edit a defined list

  1. Choose Type > Bulleted And Numbered Lists > Define Lists.
  2. Select a list and click Edit.
  3. Enter a new name for the list or change your selection of Continue Numbers options.

Paragraph styles that are assigned to the list are reassigned to the list under its new name.

Delete a defined list

  1. Choose Type > Bulleted And Numbered Lists > Define Lists.
  2. Select a list.
  3. Click Delete, and then select a different list or the [Default] list to replace your list with.