python-sphinxrestructuredtextcontinuationnumbered-list

Sphinx: Resume list numbering after a note section


Consider the following list in ReStructuredText:

Broken list example
-------------------

#. First do spam
#. Then do ``eggs``

  .. note::

    Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisistion

#. The list restarts after the note

When the list is compiled in Sphinx, the number after the note are reset to 1:

List number restart result screenshot

Any idea how to continue the numbered list after a note section?


Solution

  • The discontinuity of the list is caused by the note being a standalone element, not a child of the second numbered list element. To prevent the discontinuity of the list, start the note directive at the same indentation (in this case, 3 spaces) as the the text of the intended parent numbered list element. So instead of your sample reStructuredText, try this:

    Fixed list example
    ------------------
    
    #. First do spam
    #. Then do ``eggs``
    
       .. note::
    
          Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisistion
    
    #. Then do spam and ``eggs``.
    

    This is one of those things about reStructuredText that's neither easy to spot, nor particularly well documented; see this question on nested lists for a closely-related problem.