Overview
Introduction
Pasted or exported lists often come pre-numbered in a way you don't want, and stripping that numbering by hand across many items is slow.
This tool automatically detects and removes leading counter prefixes from every item in a list, leaving the underlying text intact.
What Is List Item Counter Remover?
A list transformer that strips a leading numeric counter, like "1. ", "1)", or "1:", from the start of every item that has one.
Unlike the string category's newline-only Line Number Remover, this tool accepts a configurable separator for non-newline-delimited lists.
How List Item Counter Remover Works
The list is split into items using the resolved separator, and each item is tested against a regular expression matching a leading run of digits followed by `.`, `)`, or `:` and an optional space.
Items matching the pattern have that prefix stripped; items that don't match are left exactly as they were, and the result is rejoined using the list separator.
When To Use List Item Counter Remover
Use it when you've pasted in a numbered list, from a document, email, or export, and need the plain text without the numbering.
It's also useful before re-numbering a list with a different format, since it cleanly clears out the old numbers first.
Often used alongside List Item Counter Adder, List Item Bullet Remover and Line Number Remover.
Features
Advantages
- Recognizes several common counter formats (". ", ") ", ": ") automatically.
- Safe on mixed lists, only items that actually have a counter prefix are modified.
- Works with any of the supported list separator modes.
Limitations
- Only recognizes counters formed from digits plus `.`, `)`, or `:`; roman numerals or lettered lists (a., b., c.) are not detected.
- Cannot distinguish an intentional numeric prefix that's part of the item's real content from an actual counter, it always strips a matching pattern.
- Only removes a single leading counter per item, not nested or repeated numbering.
Examples
Best Practices & Notes
Best Practices
- Run this before List Item Counter Adder if you want to replace old numbering with a new format rather than stacking numbers.
- Double check items where a real number legitimately starts the text, like "3. person household", since the tool can't tell intent apart from a genuine counter.
- Use the matching separator mode for your source list so items split correctly before the counter check runs.
Developer Notes
Implemented with `String.prototype.replace()` using the regular expression `/^\s*\d+\s*[.):]\s?/`, which matches optional leading whitespace, one or more digits, optional whitespace, one of `.`, `)`, or `:`, and an optional trailing space, mirroring the pattern used by the string category's `line-number-remover`.
List Item Counter Remover Use Cases
- Cleaning up numbering from a pasted document or email list
- Preparing a list for re-numbering in a different counter format
- Stripping export artifacts (like spreadsheet row numbers) from a copied list
Common Mistakes
- Expecting lettered or roman-numeral list markers (a., i., I.) to be stripped; only digit-based counters are recognized.
- Assuming a legitimate numeric value at the start of an item's real text will be preserved; the pattern match doesn't know the difference.
- Forgetting to select the right separator mode, which can prevent items from splitting correctly before the counter check runs.
Tips
- Follow up with List Item Counter Adder if you want fresh, consistent numbering in a specific format afterward.
- Use List Sorter first if you want the un-numbered list in a particular order before renumbering.