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I am documenting an application that has multiple ways to perform a task.
Some ways have more than one step, and others have only one step. I tried
to put some of the different paths in a separate reference, but my boss
wants them all listed in the main text. How do I number the steps? It
seems strange to have a number 1 without a number 2, but it looks terrible
(to me) to have a numbered sequence parallel with an unnumbered sequence.
In some cases there are 3 or 4 different paths, all lined up. The different
paths are solely based on the user's preference in some cases, so an if-then
table won't work consistently.
Example:
You can:
1 Click the so-and-so button
2 Enter the information
OR
1 Dial 9 on your telephone
The alternative:
1 Click the so-and-so button
2 Enter the information