If you have found my posts about creating styles for numbered paragraphs in Word to be confusing, or, if you just want an easier way to do it, you should check out Numbering Assistant from Payne Group. As described by Payne Group:

The Numbering Assistant is a paragraph numbering utility that allows you to quickly add, modify and update automatic multi-level numbering schemes in Word documents. The tool contains 28 preloaded schemes provided by Payne Group. Additionally, individually tailored numbering schemes can be added upon request. The Numbering Assistant uses native Word functionality (heading styles linked to outline numbering) so you can also easily share your numbering schemes with clients and others who may not use the software. You can even add up to four multi-level schemes within the same document.

I have not used Numbering Assistant, however, I have never heard anyone complain about a Payne product. Further, I have heard plenty of good things about it.

As an added bonus, if contract drafting is your thing, Numbering Assistant incorporates the suggestions made by Ken Adams in his Manual of Style for Contract Drafting. Further information about this can be found at Ken’s site. (BTW, if you are a writing geek, you should be reading Ken’s blog).

Anyway, if you are looking for an elegant solution to fighting with Word’s numbering styles, you may want to check out Numbering Assistant.