LyX enumeration style from numbers to letters

Question

I'd like to use, for this specific instance, letter style enumeration [ like a) b) c) ] . I realize that I can nest one enumerate environment in another and the style will change, but I don't want a dangling "1." from the topmost enumerate environment.

Answer 1

Short answer

• To get a), add this to the preamble: \renewcommand{\labelenumi}{\alph{enumi})}
• To get [a], add this to the preamble: \renewcommand{\labelenumi}{[\alph{enumi}]}

If you don't want the change to occur globally, then add this code right before the enumeration (and resotre right after, if needed).

Long answer

In the preamble, use the \renewcommand{indicator}{format} syntax for each level of heirarchy you would like to change (4 level max. are supported), where indicator is either of the following label indicators:

1. \labelenumi -- 1st level
2. \labelenumii -- 2nd level
3. \labelenumiii -- 3rd level
4. \labelenumiv -- 4th level

and format is a macro consisting of enumerators and styles.

The style can be any of the following:

• \arabic{enumerator}, for 1, 2, 3, ...
• \alph{enumerator}, for a, b, c, ...
• \Alph{enumerator}, for A, B, C, ...
• \roman{enumerator}, for i, ii, iii, ...
• \Roman{enumerator}, for I, II, III, ...

The enumerator can be any of the following:

1. enumi -- 1st level
2. enumii -- 2nd level
3. enumiii -- 3rd level
4. enumiv -- 4th level

I personally prefer the 1.4.2 a) repeating format, for which you need:

\renewcommand{\labelenumi}{\arabic{enumi}.}
\renewcommand{\labelenumii}{\labelenumi\arabic{enumii}.}
\renewcommand{\labelenumiii}{\labelenumii\arabic{enumiii}}
\renewcommand{\labelenumiv}{\alph{enumiv})}

Answer 2

Write into Document->Settings->Preamble:

\usepackage{enumitem}
\setenumerate{label=A)}
\setenumerate[2]{label=a)}

For deeper values use also [3], [4]. Inside LyX you will still see the 1. If you want to change this too, then you'll have to rewrite your LyX layout file.

Answer 3

You can set custom labels for individual items:

1. Use the default "Numbered list" environment in LyX (select from the menu or use the keyboard shortcut ^P E).

2. Insert a "Custom Item" inset: Open the context menu via Ctrl+click/right click over a list element and select "Custom Item".

3. In the Custom Item inset, enter a custom label for this particular item.

You will see the default labels in LyX, but the output will use the label from the "Custom Item" box. In LyX:

1. Custom Item[A] Fruits:

a) Custom Item[A.1] orange

b) Custom Item[A.2] apple

will produce in the output file:

A Fruits:

A.1 orange

A.2 apple

Answer 4

These answers are all quite old, and Lyx has moved on, adding a module named Customisable Lists (enumitem). The User's Guide indicates how to use it, but in short: if you want to change the behavior of just one enumeration, add the module in the document settings, and then, at the beginning of your list, Insert->Enumerate Options. In ERT write

label=\roman{enumi}.

or however you'd like to format the label. Done! and once you've finished this enumeration, the others will be according to the usual style.

Answer 5

in preamble

\renewcommand{\theenumi}{\alph{enumi}}
\renewcommand{\theenumii}{\arabic{enumii}}
\renewcommand{\labelenumii}{\theenumii.}