Can one use automatic numbering in Excel like that in Word?

I regularly set up tables in Word where the left hand column is sequentially
numbered, but not in every line because it is broken up by headings, eg

Heading

3.1.1 Item etc etc figure

3.1.2 Item...........

New Heading

3.1.3 Item

etc

As the list can be edited two or three times before completion, with extra
items being added in, at present I create in Word, which automatically
adjusts the item numbers as extra rows are added in or removed. I then copy
the completed table into Excel to check and manipulate the long lists of
figures and wonder if I could create this document in Excel to start with.
However, there would be a lot of room for error if the numbers all had to be
adjusted manually every time an extra item were added in the middle. Is
there anything anyone can suggest to help or do I need to continue as I am at
present?

--
Judy

You could use a formula like this in your first cell:

="3.1."&TEXT(ROW(A1),"0")

which will display 3.1.1

When you copy this down it will show 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4 etc.

If you then insert a new row the numbers will adjust, but you will
need to copy the formula to the new row to maintain the correct
sequence.

Hope this helps.

Pete

On Jun 4, 11:16*am, Judy wrote:
I regularly set up tables in Word where the left hand column is sequentially
numbered, but not in every line because it is broken up by headings, *eg

Heading

3.1.1 * Item * etc etc * figure

3.1.2 *Item...........

New Heading

3.1.3 *Item

etc

As the list can be edited two or three times before completion, with extra
items being added in, at present I create in Word, which automatically
adjusts the item numbers as extra rows are added in or removed. *I then copy
the completed table into Excel to check and manipulate the long lists of
figures and wonder if I could create this document in Excel to start with.. *
However, there would be a lot of room for error if the numbers all had to be
adjusted manually every time an extra item were added in the middle. *Is
there anything anyone can suggest to help or do I need to continue as I am at
present?

--
Judy