Linux Journal: OOo Off the Wall: It’s Numbering, But Not as We Know It

“Like any word processor, OpenOffice.org’s Writer automatically
adds numbers and bullets to paragraphs for you. Unlike typical word
processors, however, Writer does not make lists a part of paragraph
styles. Instead, lists have styles of their own. These styles are
called numbering styles. It’s a rather misleading term, though,
because it refers to both numbered and bulleted lists, but never
mind.

“By splitting lists and paragraphs, Writer gains several
advantages. First, the split removes many users’ confusion
regarding whether they are configuring lists or paragraphs. Second,
it is more economical, because one list style can be applied to
multiple paragraph styles instead of defining the same format
separately for each paragraph. Third, and most important of all,
separating list styles from paragraph styles gives list options
more room for custom settings without burying them deep in the
menus…”

Complete
Story