# MS Word - Start Numbering Sections From 2.1.3 (for example)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-start-numbering-sections-from-2-1-3-for-example/848127>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 18, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-start-numbering-sections-from-2-1-3-for-example/848127 "2020-02-18T21:45:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-start-numbering-sections-from-2-1-3-for-example/848127/1 "2020-02-18T21:45:55Z")

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I want to make new word doc with sections but I want it to start at 2.1.3 - it will be a part of a larger document.  
But Word won’t let me do that - the closest I can get is telling word to set the numbering value at 2.1.3 but then it inserts blank sections:

1  
2  
2.1  
2.1.1  
2.1.2

I really do not want this - can’t I just start from 2.1.3?

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**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-start-numbering-sections-from-2-1-3-for-example/848127/2 "2020-02-19T01:33:34Z")

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I don’t understand what you mean by “blank sections”, but are you trying to create a numbered list starting from 2.1.3? If so, go into the numbered list option in WORD and find “Define new number format”, or something to that effect, near the bottom. (My WORD is not in English.) In the “Number format” box, type in “2.1.”. Keep the numbering style as is. Should be “1,2,3,…”. When you make a new number list it will start from 2.1.1. Left click this number and you’ll see an option called “Change number setting”. Go into that option and change the starting number from “1” to “3” and your list will now start from 2.1.3.

If this isn’t what you’re looking for, please explain more clearly.

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**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-start-numbering-sections-from-2-1-3-for-example/848127/3 "2020-02-19T02:34:06Z")

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That’s close - that will let me start at 2.1.1 but not 2.1.9

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**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-start-numbering-sections-from-2-1-3-for-example/848127/4 "2020-02-19T02:35:06Z")

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OK - got it now - Thanks!