Numbering Steps for Multiple Paths

Subject: Numbering Steps for Multiple Paths
From: Melanie Shook <mshook -at- com2001 -dot- com>
To: "'techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 10:38:27 -0500

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

OR

Dial 9 on your telephone

Any suggestions?




Previous by Author: RE: How do users use help?
Next by Author: Numbering Steps for Multiple Paths
Previous by Thread: RE: do alarms always sound?
Next by Thread: Re: Numbering Steps for Multiple Paths


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads