--- loncom/xml/lonxml.pm	2003/04/03 22:34:26	1.246
+++ loncom/xml/lonxml.pm	2003/04/07 22:28:08	1.247
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # XML Parser Module 
 #
-# $Id: lonxml.pm,v 1.246 2003/04/03 22:34:26 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: lonxml.pm,v 1.247 2003/04/07 22:28:08 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -898,18 +898,23 @@ sub get_all_text_unbalanced {
 }
 
 sub increment_counter {
-    $Apache::lonxml::counter++;
+    my ($increment) = @_;
+    if (defined($increment) && $increment gt 0) {
+	$Apache::lonxml::counter+=$increment;
+    } else {
+	$Apache::lonxml::counter++;
+    }
     $Apache::lonxml::counter_changed=1;
 }
 
 sub init_counter {
     if (defined($ENV{'form.counter'})) {
 	$Apache::lonxml::counter=$ENV{'form.counter'};
+	$Apache::lonxml::counter_changed=0;
     } else {
 	$Apache::lonxml::counter=1;
-	&store_counter();
+	$Apache::lonxml::counter_changed=1;
     }
-    $Apache::lonxml::counter_changed=0;
 }
 
 sub store_counter {