This element specifies that the parent abstract numbering definition is the base numbering definition for the specified numbering style referenced in its val attribute.

If this element is omitted, or it references a style which does not exist, then this numbering definition shall not be the underlying properties for a numbering style.

[Note: Numbering styles are never directly referenced by paragraphs or runs in the document – instead, an abstract numbering definition specifies that it contains the underlying numbering information for a numbering style, and one or more numbering definition instances reference a numbering definition which inherits from it. The numbering style itself is just a friendly name on an abstract numbering definition. end note]

[Example: Consider the WordprocessingML fragment below, representing an abstract numbering definition which defines the properties for a numbering style:

<w:numbering>

…

<w:abstractNum w:abstractNumId="5">

…

<w:styleLink w:val="ExampleNumberingStyle" />

…

</w:abstractNum>

</w:numbering>

…

<w:styles>

…

<w:style w:type="numbering" w:styleId="ExampleNumberingStyle">

<w:name w:val="ExampleNumberingStyle" />

…

<w:pPr>

<w:numPr>

<w:numId w:val="6" />

</w:numPr>

</w:pPr>

</w:style>

…

</w:styles>

The styleLink element specifies that the abstract numbering definition defines the properties for a numbering style whose styleId matches its val attribute, and is defined in the styles element of the WordprocessingML. end example]

Parent Elements

abstractNum (§2.9.1)

Attributes

Description

val (String Value)

Specifies that its contents will contain a string.

The contents of this string are interpreted based on the context of the parent XML element.

[Example: Consider the following WordprocessingML fragment:

<w:pPr>

<w:pStyle w:val="heading1" />

</w:pPr>

The value of the val attribute is the ID of the associated paragraph style's styleId.

However, consider the following fragment:

<w:sdtPr>

<w:alias w:val="SDT Title Example" />

...

</w:sdtPr>

In this case, the decimal number in the val attribute is the caption of the parent structured document tag. In each case, the value is interpreted in the context of the parent element. end example]

The possible values for this attribute are defined by the ST_String simple type (§2.18.89).

The following XML Schema fragment defines the contents of this element:

</complexType>