I've seen explanations all around this issue, but nothing specific to the question: Can you create so-called *ordered* list entries automatically, i.e., just with M-ret and M-left/right? I saw this very question asked in stackoverflow.com (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/13378222/emacs-ordered-lists-in-org-mode) . . . then not answered.
I want to create a hierarchy of list items which are numbered, with proper "decimalization" for the subtree(s):
1. thing-1
1.1. thing-1-1
1.2. thing-1-2
1.2.1. thing-1-2-1
. . .
It seems from the documentation that this behavior is only manual insertion. Otherwise, I start with
1. Header
then do M-ret and M-right. But that only indents and starts another 1. line.
Subsequent M-ret's only produces either increments, or a M-ret M-right creates a sub-sub starting again at 1:
1. Header
1. sub header
2. sub header
3. sub header
1. sub sub header