If want the numbered list in your Word document to start at 1, but it keeps starting at 3, even if you select Restart Numbering from the shortcut menu. If I understand your question correctly
Right-click the numbered list.
Click Set Numbering Value.
Select the Start New List button.
In the Set Value text box, type 1 and then click OK.
When you set the Set Value text box to a number, your list will start with that number; when Restart does not start with 1, it's best to check and reset the Set Value text box according to the steps above.
The Set Numbering Value will also correct instances where clicking Continue Numbering will not work -- for example, when you want one list to continue numbering from another above it. Follow these steps to correct this situation:
Right-click the numbered list.
Click Set Numbering Value.
Click to select the Continue From Previous List button and then click OK.
Best Answer
Here are three ways of doing this:
1 - Return and Backspace
To do this write out your list then add a carriage return (Enter) at the end of each sentence. This will add an empty numbered line beneath the sentence. With that line selected press Backspace once, this will delete the number and reorder the numbering of the rest of the list, while keeping the blank line.
2 – Adjust Line Spacing Once
This is the better option. Select the list and hit the little arrow under Paragraph on the Home tab. From here you can adjust line spacing. Add a higher number After each line or increase the spacing overall, either will work.
3 – Adjust Line Spacing Permanently
This is the best option. When you make a list the styles pane will automatically select List Paragraph as the style for your list. If you right click and select Modify on the block shown here you can change the spacing for all lists in your document, and even for all lists you make from now on!