Word sometimes treats separated numbered sections as different lists. If a paragraph, picture, table, or pasted block sits between them, the second list may restart at 1 even when you want it to continue.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word 2019 on Windows or Mac when list numbering restarts, continues incorrectly, or needs a custom starting value.
Make a numbered list continue from the previous one
This is usually one right-click.
- Click anywhere in the list that restarted.
- Right-click the first number in that list.
- Choose Continue Numbering.
- Confirm the first item now follows the previous list number.
- Repeat for other separated sections from top to bottom if needed.
If the first list ended at 4, the next section should begin at 5 after Continue Numbering.
Set a specific starting number
Use this when the right number is not simply the next one.
- Right-click the first number in the list.
- Choose Set Numbering Value.
- Enter the starting number.
- Click OK.
More control
Restart at 1 when needed
If Word keeps continuing a list that should be separate, right-click the first number and choose Restart at 1.
Pasted lists bring their own numbering
Lists copied from another document or email may carry separate numbering rules. Continue Numbering works on pasted lists too.
Click the number, not just the text
The numbering menu appears most reliably when you right-click directly on the number at the start of the item.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Start or restart numbering in a list (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Change the numbering start value for a list (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Create a bulleted or numbered list (2025)