Sequence annotations 2: Link numeric lists in a text block to sequence dots in a related image

Proposal

Provide a means of linking numeric lists to an image with sequence annotations so the list numbers remain consistent with the sequence dots.

Current Solution

A rather obscure menu option allows the start numbers for numeric lists to be manually set (menu Format - List - Start numeric list at...

This requires a manual change to the list

• when sequence dots are removed and
• when the sequence dot start number for an image is changed.

How will you benefit?

• Less work during document creation: Changes to sequence annotations will automatically be reflected in the related numeric lists.
• New sequence dots will create new empty list entries, prompting descriptive text before QA spots it.
• Higher quality: Reduced incidence of mismatches requiring rework. 

Ergonomics may work like this

This is complicated.  To contain the development effort required, the scope will have to be limited.  I propose the following as a starting point.

A "Match numeric list to preceding sequence annotations" option appears adjacent to the "Start numeric list at..." option.

There is an interesting question of how far back should it look to find sequence dots.  In the interests of clarity, I believe it should only look to the nearest preceding image for sequence dots. This means the explanatory text must appear before the next image (but it may not have to be in the first Paragraph Text block under the image.)

In the interests of simplicity, it is acceptable to require that all numeric list items related to am image must be in the same Paragraph Text block.

If a sequence annotation is deleted from an image, then the related numeric list item is also deleted.  

If a sequence annotation dot is appended or inserted (see my Sequence Annotations 3 proposal) then an identically numbered empty item is added to the numeric list.

The left-most list items must be linked with sequence dots.  They are not created manually, because that would imply that sequence dots should spontaneously appear on the image (which would be fun, though.) Typing Enter in a numeric list entry linked to sequence dots creates an indented sub-list item for further relevant information as in this example.

1.  Type username here   <-- created by dot.

     1. Use your company email address <-- Created by <enter> at end of preceding line

     2.  Do not use your company network account name <-- ditto

2. Type password here   <-- created by dot.

     1. At your first login, you will be prompted for a new password <-- Created by <enter> at end of preceding line