Use an ordered list when the sequence of the list items is important. A list of instructions is a good example, as are tables of content and lists of document footnotes or endnotes.

The <ol> Tag

The typical browser formats the contents of an ordered list just like an unordered list, except that the items are numbered instead of bulleted. The numbering starts at one and is incremented by one for each successive ordered list element tagged with <li>.

HTML 3.2 has a number of features that provide a wide variety of ordered lists. You can change the start value of the list and select any of five different numbering styles. Here is a sample ordered list:

<h3>Pickled Kumquats</h3>
Here's an easy way to make a delicious batch of pickled 'quats:
<ol>
  <li>Rinse 50 pounds of fresh kumquats
  <li>Bring eight gallons white vinegar to rolling boil
  <li>Add kumquats gradually, keeping vinegar boiling
  <li>Boil for one hour, or until kumquats are tender
  <li>Place in sealed jars and enjoy!
</ol>

This is rendered by Netscape as shown in Figure 8.2.