Objective:

• How to correct formatting issues due to broken lists

Environment:

• PolicyStat Editor

Additional Information:

When working with a list of items (A.B.C. or 1.2.3.), all of the list items must be in a single "dotted" line box, otherwise the list will "break" into a new paragraph box and its items will not sequence correctly. Here are some tips to correct a list that is broken into multiple boxes. For reference, the screenshot below shows a broken A.B.C.D.E-formatted list, caused by the 1.2.3. sub-level under Item D. 

Procedure:

Correcting Broken List Formatting

There are several ways to do this, but one way is to go to the very end of the last sentence or word in the section that is correctly formatted in a list. Use the Delete key on the keyboard (not backspace) to move the line of text that was below in a separate paragraph (or dotted line box) so it joins the correct section in the list. 

• Press Enter to cause a new item in the list to be created.  Repeat this process until all items are joined in the list.
• Use Indent (Tab) or outdent (Shift+Tab) as needed. Use the Style menu on the toolbar to change the format of the numbering or lettering as needed.
• To change the list style (changing from ABC to 123, etc.) place your cursor in the list and use the Toolbar Style Drop-Down List at the top of the document:

Please note: the Formatting drop-down menu should be used for section headings and subheadings. The Numbering drop-down menu should be used for lists inside paragraph boxes.

• If bullets are needed, indent first, then select the bulleted list button on the toolbar.
• If a list needs to shift back out to the left (outdent) or indent to the right sometimes creating the next list item and getting it in the correct position works best. Then you can use Delete and bring the section below up and it will be positioned correctly.
• Use a Soft Break (Return) if you need to stay within the same list item or paragraph. 
• To group items into a list that are separated into paragraph boxes highlight all items with your mouse and click the ordered or bulleted list. That will join the items together in a list.
• To end a list and create a new paragraph, put your cursor at the end of the last item, then press Enter until the list ends and the cursor is in its own paragraph box.

When uploading an MS Word document with an ordered (outline format) list, be aware that it may not be a true list. A "Fake List" is built in a way that can't be converted correctly into PolicyStat. See this article on how to correct this issue: Correcting Fake Lists.

For additional information and tips, please see these articles:

• Editor Resources Page
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Use the Keyboard (Control + V) to Paste rather than right-clicking with your mouse.
• Hard Break (Enter key) vs. Soft Break (Shift + Enter key) if you want to go to a new line in a list without creating a new paragraph or a new list item use Shift + Enter on the keyboard.

Please let us know if you need additional guidance or assistance at support@policystat.com, or call 317-644-1296, option 2.