Reverse List Numbering

The numbers that mark ordered lists can be reversed. The list items don't reverse. Just the numbering.

Original numbers:

1. Position firecracker
2. Light the fuse
3. Skedaddle
4. Boom

Reversed numbers:

1. Position firecracker
2. Light the fuse
3. Skedaddle
4. Boom

It works with other numbering types, too:

1. Position firecracker
2. Light the fuse
3. Skedaddle
4. Boom

1. Position firecracker
2. Light the fuse
3. Skedaddle
4. Boom

Shortly, I'll reveal how to recreate the examples. But first, let's start the numbering at 8 instead of 1. For starting at the number 8, regular order numbers are 8 to 11, and reverse order is 8 to 5.

Nifty, huh?

It's not generally used. When it's needed, though, it's elementary to implement.

In fact, it's so simple that all you have to do is insert one word into the <ol> tag: reversed

That's right, just the one-word attribute reversed. Example:

<ol reversed>

For the other variations in the examples, to specify a start number, use the start attribute.

<ol start="8" reversed>

To change the numbering, use the type attribute. Here is a list and an example.

type="1" (regular numbering)
type="i" (lowercase Roman numerals)
type="I" (uppercase Roman numerals)
type="a" (lowercase letters)
type="A" (uppercase letters)

<ol start="8" reversed type="i">

The purpose of this article is to show (or remind) how to publish reversed numbering for an ordered list.

Remember reversed and you're good to go.

(This content first appeared in Possibilities newsletter.)

Will Bontrager