Family Tree numbered list in InDesign

Question

This one has been killing me and I can't seem to find a good solution. I'm making a document for a family tree and am trying to get the numbering right in InDesign.

The numbering goes as follows:

1.0.0.0 1.(is the generation)0.(are the kids from this generation)0.(the kids from this generation)0.(and so forth)

So in this example we have this:

This is still relatively easy.

Here is where it already starts to become complex.

Here it becomes impossible...

Basically for every 'enter' the number goes +1 and it adds a number after the sequence n+1.0.0.(+1)

Now, how do I replicate this in InDesign? Because I can't seem to find a solution that lets me do what I want.

Answer 1

It's possible in InDesign using Numbering with several Levels.

For each generation you need to have a Paragraph Style with a corresponding Level.

In the Paragraph Style Options of the first generation we can set up Bullets and Numbering like this:

Note that:

• Level is set to 1.
• Number is set to ^#. . Current Level (^#), a period (.) and a space ( ).
• Mode is set to Continue From Previous Number.

The second generation will of course have Level set to 2 and Number can be set to ^1.^#. . Level 1 (^1), a period (.), Current Level (^#), a period (.) and a space ( ).

The ninth generation will have Level set to 9 and Number set to ^1.^2.^3.^4.^5.^6.^7.^8.^#. . All previous levels with a period in between followed by the current leve, a period and a space.

InDesign only supports nine levels, so that might become a problem for you. I see you've already reached level 8 in your last example so you can only add one more generation before the method breaks.