Outline format

[AgelessD]

I am creating a directory with categories: main, Sub-category, sub-sub-category. It should look liek this"
1.0 Main Item x
1.1 Sub-category x
1.1.1 Sub-Sub-category x



The x's are manual insertions n a specific column or box in a form, but when a new main category is added the outline number (1.0) needs to automatically shift to 2.0 and iif a sub-category is entered ti needs to shift ot 1.2 or 1.3, etc. The same holds true for sub-sub-categories. So it may very likely end up looking something like this"

1.0 Main Category x
2.0 Main Category x
2.1 Sub-Category x
2.2 Sub-Category x
2.2.1 Sub-sub-Category x
2.3 Sub-Category x
2.3.1 Sub-Sub-Category x
3.0 Main Category, etc. x

I've discovered that I can label individual columns with 1.0, 1.1, and 1.1.1 and extend them by highlighting two cells and dragging the lower right corner, but I need to create the format that will work automatically and re-start new numbers (3.1 at 3.1, not a contimuation of the last in the column or jumping to 4.0 after it reaches 2.9) . Thank you for your help.

Mark

[shg]

This works a little differently than you describe; it uses a control column to set the level.

       --A-- --B--
   1   Level  WBS 
   2     1   1    
   3              
   4     2   1.1  
   5     2   1.2  
   6     3   1.2.1
   7     3   1.2.2
   8     2   1.3  
   9     3   1.3.1
  10     3   1.3.2
  11              
  12     1   2    
  13     2   2.1  
  14     3   2.1.1
  15     3   2.1.2
  16     3   2.1.3
  17     2   2.2  
  18     2   2.3  
  19              
  20     1   3    
  21     2   3.1  
  22     2   3.2  
  23     2   3.3

The function in B2 and copied down is =NextWBS(A2, B$1:B1)

The function can be copied across rows where column A is blank.

[MickG]

Hi, I assume the Text "Main Category" etc is in column "B" with the Ref Number in Column "A" , if so try this.
Code inserts Numbers in column "A"
NB:- Make sure you The Words "Sub" in your list, starts with an upper Case, Some or your are Lower.

 Sub Cat()
Dim Rng As Range, dn As Range, c As Integer
Dim n As Single, p As Single
Set Rng = Range(Range("B1"), Range("B" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp))
    For Each dn In Rng
        Select Case dn
            Case Is = "Main Category": p = 0: c = c + 1: dn.Offset(, -1) = c
            Case Is = "Sub-Category": p = 0: n = Application.Max(n, c): n = n + 0.1: dn.Offset(, -1) = n
            Case Is = "Sub-Sub-Category": p = p + 1: dn.Offset(, -1) = n & "." & p
        End Select
Next dn
End Sub

Regards M8ick