Hi guys, I shared your problem with the auto numbering. I prefer to do this myself, and this was messing me up.
By default, if you type an asterisk or 1., Word recognizes that you are trying to start a bulleted or numbered list. You can turn off the automatic list recognition feature. You can turn off the automatic list recognition feature.
Turning it off has no effect, as previously noted. Here's how I fixed it: (my version is newer, so my 'paths' to the setting will differ) Start numbering something so it activates auto-numbering.
For me it creates a floating toolbar. (Another way to activate is F12.) Press the 'Bullets & Numbering' button on the toolbar (all the way on the right). It should pop up a window, so go the the settings tab. Close the bottom there is a 'Start At' field. Set it to the largest number it will take. For me it still says '1' when I quit and come back. BUT it does not interfere in old or new documents in my preliminary testing, so I think it will work AS LONG AS YOU YOU LEAVE AUTO-NUMBERING OFF.
![How to turn off automatic numbering for new documents in word for mac free How to turn off automatic numbering for new documents in word for mac free](https://support.content.office.net/en-us/media/a5a56684-5f18-49c0-a385-bb45606b9056.png)
IF YOU USE F12 TO TURN IT ON, ALL BETS ARE OFF (it will revert to inconvenient mode). I hope this helps!
Have you ever noticed how Word tries to be 'helpful' if you start to type a numbered list? Word takes over and changes the formatting The same happens if you type an email or website address - Word turns it into a blue underlinedhyperlink.
If you don't like this interference from Word do this: 1. Select (down the left hand side) 3. In the left list click 4. At the top right click 5. On the window that pops up click the tab entitled AutoFormat As You Type so you see this.
![Documents Documents](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/siFg5DsvrbI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Remove the ticks as shown above and then click the OK button (click OK again after that).