TOC level control with non-standard numbering request

[Doctor Sonic]

I have a problem with getting TOC level control to work in a particular way. Here is a highlight of my problem:

I'm using an outline format very similar to an example at https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-numbering-chapters-subheads-tables-figures/, but without tables and figures for the time being. I need for one of my heading levels to increment in a numeric sequence throughout most of my book, across stories (chapters)  independent of the Chapter numbers and propagating down through lower levels. InDesign should be able to do it according to its dialogs for TOC, but it isn't functioning as expected.

Here is an example of how it would look, taken from Chapter 3 and 4 of the book. It's especially important to note what happens when the chapter changes.

Chapter 3: Chapter Title

3.9 Subhead Level 1         (comment- 9 is the First Level 1 heading number in chapter 3.
                                                    Last one in chapter 2  was 8.)
   3.9.1 Subhead Level 2
3.10  Subhead Level 1
   3.10.1 Subhead Level 2
      3.10.1.a Subhead Level 3
      3.10.1.b Subhead Level 3
   3.10.2 Subhead Level 2

Chapter 4: Chapter Title

4.11  Subhead Level 1
   4.11.1 Subhead Level 2
      4.11.1.a Subhead Level 3
   4.11.2 Subhead Level 2
4.12  Subhead Level 1
   4.12.1 Subhead Level 2
   4.12.2 Subhead Level 2
      4.12.2.a Subhead Level 3
      4.12.2.b Subhead Level 3
   4.12.3 Subhead Level 2

I don't think InDesign can do it. Please tell me I'm wrong!

[Barb Binder]

Hi Doctor Sonic: If I understand your question, this is what you are looking for:

You can use the same logic outlined on here: https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-numbering-chapters-subheads-tables-figures/, with one minor tweak. The difference is that you want the 2nd column numbers to continue incrementing along with the chapter titles, but not the 3rd column numbers, which need to restart at 1. The key is to turn Restart Numbers at this Level to off for the column 2 numbers, and back on for the column 3 numbers.

Then in your book, set the Document Chapter Numbering, and update the numbers.

Let me know if you have any questions.

~Barb

[Barb Binder]

Oh no! That doesn't work! I am so sorry. I totally thought I had it.

Edit: no wait. (And now I'm talking to myself.) I just missed the 3rd level.

And I'm going to have to try this again, but I'm out of time tonight. So close! Fingers crossed that I can get this going in the morning.

[Doctor Sonic]

Hi Barb,

Thank you for your help. I'll try this tomorrow, after a good night's sleep. If we can't get it to work, no worries. It's NOT a "must have," and being non-standard might confuse readers anyway.
The book is under going peer scrutiny currently, the first wave. It might be completely re-organized after peer review.

[Barb Binder]

Sorry about my meltdown last night! In the clear light of day, we are back on track:

I'll repost the numbering properties for all four levels, but I think everything is the same as yesterday's screen shots for the title and heads1 and 2, but I'm adding the screen shot for the head3s.

[wrensauer]

Hi Doctor Sonic,

Did Barb's solution get you what you needed? Let us know if you need further help!

Best,

Wren

[Doctor Sonic]

Hi Wren,

I am so sorry, I started to implement Barb's suggestions and got pulled off that onto design production emergencies. I'll try to get back to the book formatting soon.

Warm regards,

John Walt Childers

[Not a good idea to include private contact info on a public forum. I've removed them]

[Doctor Sonic]

Hi Barb,

Can you show how your "Example" List is defined?

In other words, could you please go to Type > Bulleted & Numbered Lists > Define Lists > Edit and take a screen shot of that.? It's not supposed to be like "Jump Documents" is it?

[Doctor Sonic · Accepted solution]

I'm replying to myself here. I tried the list definition shown in the  above screen capture of the "Jump Documents" list definition for all levels of headings, since Barb used the "Example" list definition for all of her heading levels. This  is indeed the setup that worked to produce this non-standard numbering. Case closed.