Number list
Location on ribbon: Tab DVD Addin → Group Text and Number → Menu Numbered list
Command ID: btnNumberingList
What it does
Prefixes the selected cells with 1., 2., 3., … A single counter runs across the whole selection in row-major order, so the list is numbered continuously from the first cell to the last.
This is the workhorse for bills of quantities, material schedules, task lists and clause lists in site records. The command strips any earlier list prefix (1., I., A., a.) before writing, so you can re-run it after inserting or deleting rows without stacking numbers.
How to use
- Select the cells you want numbered.
- Go to tab DVD Addin → group Text and Number → open the Numbered list menu → click Number list.
- The command runs immediately — no dialog appears.
- The Excel status bar reports something like "Numbered N lines across M cells".
How each cell is handled:
- Text cell: every line inside the cell (Alt+Enter breaks) gets its own number.
- Empty cell: only the prefix is written, e.g.
5.. - Formula cell: wrapped as
=""&"5. "&(original formula)so the number shows while the formula keeps recalculating. - Numeric, date and TRUE/FALSE cells are skipped so a date is never flattened to its serial number.
Example
The activity column of a construction programme:
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Excavate foundation grid A-D | 1. Excavate foundation grid A-D |
| Pour blinding concrete | 2. Pour blinding concrete |
| Fix pile cap reinforcement | 3. Fix pile cap reinforcement |
| Pour pile cap concrete | 4. Pour pile cap concrete |
Notes
- Value cells are forced to Text format (
@) before writing so "1." is not read as a date. - Hidden rows and columns are skipped; a merged area counts once and the number lands in its top-left cell.
- The counter only advances after a successful write, so a locked cell never leaves a gap in the sequence.
- A multi-line cell consumes several consecutive numbers — that is intended behaviour, not a bug.
- Use (None) in the same menu to remove the numbering; Ctrl+Z may not restore the whole range.
Related
- Roman list — the I., II., III. level that usually sits above numbers.
- Lower letters list — the a., b., c. level below.
- Multilevel 1.1.1 — hierarchical numbering driven by indent level.
- Numbering — fills a serial-number column instead of prefixing text.