How to create a nested list in reStructuredText?

Question

I am trying to create a properly nested list using the following code (following Sphinx and docutils docs):

1. X

  a. U
  b. V
  c. W

2. Y
3. Z

I expect this to result in two OLs but I get the following output instead:

<ol class="arabic simple"> 
  <li>X</li> 
</ol> 

<blockquote> 
  <div>
    <ol class="loweralpha simple"> 
      <li>U</li> 
      <li>V</li> 
      <li>W</li> 
    </ol> 
  </div>
</blockquote> 

<ol class="arabic simple" start="2"> 
  <li>Y</li> 
  <li>Z</li> 
</ol> 

What am I doing wrong? Is it not possible to get the following result?

<ol class="arabic simple"> 
  <li>X
    <ol class="loweralpha simple"> 
      <li>U</li> 
      <li>V</li> 
      <li>W</li> 
    </ol> 
  </li>
  <li>Y</li> 
  <li>Z</li> 
</ol> 

Answer 1

Make sure the nested list is indented to the same level as the text of the parent list (or three characters, whichever is greater), like this:

1. X

   a. U
   b. V
   c. W

2. Y
3. Z

Then you'll get the output you expected.

Answer 2

If you want Sphinx to take care of the numbering for you, do this.

#. X
#. Y

   #. u 
   #. v 

#. Z