Chapter 5. Controlling the numbering of ordered lists

This chapter explains how you can to control the numbering of ordered lists by the means of one or more directives specified in the @outputclass attribute of the <ol> element.

By default, the numbering of nested ordered lists automatically alternates between the "1." and "a." formats. If you want more control on the numbering of ordered lists, then you'll have to specify one or more of the following directives in the @outputclass attribute of the <ol> element.
lower-alpha
upper-alpha
lower-roman
upper-roman
decimal
Specifies the style of numbering.
start(positive_integer)
Numbering begins at specified positive_integer.
continue
Numbering begins where the preceding ordered list left off.
inheritnum
Numbering inherits from outer-level ordered lists. For example, using this feature (e.g. <ol outputclass="upper-alpha inheritnum">), the items of a list nested at level 2 are labelled "1.A.", "1.B.", "1.C.", etc.
Restriction
Restriction
  • When using XMLmind XSL-FO Converter Opens in new window v6.0+(1) to generate RTF, WML, DOCX or ODT, directive inheritnum is supported but with minor limitations. For example, when both start(positive_integer) and inheritnum are specified, inheritnum is not honored.
  • Directive inheritnum is not honored when generating Java Help and HTML Help.
Example: <ol outputclass="upper-roman start(10)"> specifies an ordered list which starts with an "X.".
Note that it is still possible to specify any class name you want in the @outputclass attribute of the <ol> element. Example: <ol outputclass="continue fancy-list">.

 (1) v6.1+ strongly recommended.