Automatic numbering -- place code 1. anywhere in 2. the main 3. body

Automatic numbering -- place code 1. anywhere in 2. the main 3. body Is it possible to insert a code anywhere in the main body that will generate an automatic number with a period: 1. 2. 3. ? Instead of automatic paragraph numbering (with lots of restrictions), it would be nice to have a code for automatic numbering without restrictions: \autonum anywhere. I'm looking to avoid complications with other codes, and I do not want an outline feature per se where every ne