# Skipping Numbers Using a Counter

I have several counters in my document, defined as follows:

```\newcounter{koala} \newcommand*\koala[1][]{\refstepcounter{koala}\textbf{\thekoala #1} } \setcounter{koala}{0}```

I know that I can start the counter at any number I like by using the `\setcounter` command.

However, in my document I need to skip a series of numbers. For example I will start with 1, 2, 3, 4, but then need to jump to 23, 24, 25 etc.

Is there a simple command(s) that will add a specific number to the counter so this can be achieved?

• Use `\seccounter` again when you want to start from a new number. This may "cost as much as" what you want actually. May 3 '18 at 4:35
• Thanks. However, I wish to add a specific number. For example if my numbering was 1, 2, 3, 23, 24, 25, if I then added in '4', I would like the numbering to become 1, 2, 3, 4, 24, 25, 26. May 3 '18 at 4:58
• use more times! May 3 '18 at 5:00
• @HeikoOberdiek’s answer is, perhaps, even too elaborate: the short answer is: yes, there is a simple command that adds a specific number to counter, and it is named `\addtocounter`… ;-)
– GuM
May 3 '18 at 14:48

If the counter is only incremented by macro `\koala`, then the skipping can be put there:

``````\newcommand*\koala[1][]{%
\ifnum4=\value{koala}%
\fi
\refstepcounter{koala}%
\textbf{\thekoala #1}%
}
``````

An alternative approach is to manipulate the counter at the formatting level:

``````\makeatletter
\renewcommand*{\thekoala}{%
\ifnum\value{koala}>4 %
\@arabic{\numexpr\value{koala} + 18\relax}%
\else
\arabic{koala}%
\fi
}
\makeatother
``````

With this approach, `\value{koala}` is incremented continuously, but `\thekoala` jumps.