At 11:12 -0700 24/4/06, Joanne Curme wrote: >Is it better that the numbers are right-aligned? This seems more of an >accounting requirement than a design one. With left alignment, the numerals >for either the single-digit steps or the double-digit steps do not line up >with the left margin grid. If, as in my template, the <n> step format aligns >with the body left paragraph margins, this means either the first step or the >last step (if it's double-digit) do not left-align with the introductory or >summarizing text. > >...Whenever there are procedures with more than 9 steps (which can't be >avoided sometimes :) ), the longer numerals simply have to move to either the >left or the right. IMHO, it's more pleasing to the eye to maintain the left >margin grid.
I'm replying as it was me who raised this point. To be honest, I didn't consider issues of 'better' or 'worse', but merely reacted to the proofreader's slight surprise that right-alignment was not used. Proofreader works on paper, knows nothing about FrameMaker, or even that it was used, but does have a sound sense of what is 'usual'. As far as the esthetics of the two approaches, I'm looking at a printed book with right-aligned list numbers, and I think I have a slight preference for them. I do agree, though, that where most of your lists don't go into double digits, the lack of left-margin alignment is... er... a lack. Seems like a case of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't;-) -- Steve
