Creating an Auto Number in Microsoft Word

Posted by Troy on March 20, 2008 under IT, Microsoft | Be the First to Comment

The other day i was creating a table to itemize a list of requirements for a project.   I wanted to add a unique identifier for each requirement for reference purposes.

Of course i didn’t want to type the number for each new row.  I was able to do this by inserting a field and using the MAX formula.    I then copied the formula into every row in the first column except for the first row.  The formula looks like this:

=MAX(ABOVE) + 10

Finally you need to select the entire column and press the F9 key to recalculate the formula.

You could also use an AUTONUM field but if you want to insert a row between two existing rows it would affect the numbering system.  The AUTONUM filed is based on an existing list (e.g. 1,2,3 …. or a, b, c ..).

Troy