It's used when building hierarchical numbers - formats such as m.n.p.q. The
last number in this (q) is the automatic number for this level, p is
inherited from the level above, q the current number of the level above that
and so on.

When you select a level from the dropdown, the number for that level is
added to the overall pattern. While learning/experimenting it's easiest to
see if you use a different number format at each level.

For more info see
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numb...Numbering.html

--
Margaret Aldis - Microsoft Word MVP
Syntagma partnership site: http://www.syntagma.co.uk
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.word.mvps.org


"Jon in CR" Jon in wrote in message
...
I am trying to understand the function of the "previous level number"
dropdown box in "Customize Outline Numbered List" (arrived at by
selecting
"Customize" when formating a list style in format bullets and numbering.
I
haven't been able to find any help documentation. Can anyone help?