diff --git a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs
index ad1c58b1..c1cbf25a 100644
--- a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs
+++ b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs
@@ -2281,12 +2281,16 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 				}
 				
 			}
-			// If in Proms Express, let user know if they are going to create a new substep deeper than 4 levels.  This uses the
-			// tool tip to display the message. 
+			// F2021-009 If in Proms Express, let user know if they are going to create a new substep deeper than the defined number of sub-step.
+			// This uses the tool tip to display the message. 
 			if (MyItemInfo.ActiveFormat.PlantFormat.FormatData.Express && btn.Name == "btnInsSubstep" && (MyItemInfo.Steps == null || MyItemInfo.Steps.Count == 0))
 			{
-				if (MyItemInfo.GetStepLevel() >= 4)
-					this.superTooltipRibbon.SetSuperTooltip(this.btnInsSubstep, new DevComponents.DotNetBar.SuperTooltipInfo("Per PPA WG Standard If the task exceeds four step levels, consider rewriting the task.", "", "", null, null, DevComponents.DotNetBar.eTooltipColor.Red));
+				if (MyItemInfo.GetStepLevel() >= MyItemInfo.GetDefinedSubStepCount())
+				{
+					string tpMsg = "Steps with excessive sub-step levels can be difficult to follow." +
+								 "\nConsider rewriting the step using less sub-steps levels.";
+					this.superTooltipRibbon.SetSuperTooltip(this.btnInsSubstep, new DevComponents.DotNetBar.SuperTooltipInfo(tpMsg, "", "", null, null, DevComponents.DotNetBar.eTooltipColor.Red));
+				}
 			}
 			rbnStepParts.Refresh();
 		}
@@ -3547,9 +3551,15 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 							moveDown = cnt;
 						cnt++;
 					}
-					// If in Proms Express, let user know if they are going to create a new substep deeper than 4 levels:
-					if (MyItemInfo.ActiveFormat.PlantFormat.FormatData.Express && MyItemInfo.GetStepLevel() >= 4)
-						FlexibleMessageBox.Show("Per PPA WG Standard If the task exceeds four step levels, consider rewriting the task.", "Warning...", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning);
+					// F2021-009 If in Proms Express, let user know if they are going to create a new substep deeper than the defined sub-step levels
+					if (MyItemInfo.ActiveFormat.PlantFormat.FormatData.Express && MyItemInfo.GetStepLevel() >= MyItemInfo.GetDefinedSubStepCount())
+					{
+						string msg = "Professional procedure writing standards (PPA) discourages\n" +
+									 "excessive sub-step levels. With each sub-step level, there\n" +
+									 "is less room for text, which could lead to steps that are\n" +
+									 "difficult to follow.";
+						FlexibleMessageBox.Show(msg, "PPA Writing Standards", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation);
+					}
 					break;
 				case "InsCaution":
 					displayMenu = ((actable & E_AccStep.AddingCaution) > 0) && btnCMInsCaution.Enabled;
@@ -3882,6 +3892,8 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 			StepTabPanel tmp = Parent as StepTabPanel;
 			if (tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep == null) return;
 			SaveTableChanges(); // B2018-055 Save Current Changes to the table
+			// F2021-009 display a message if pasting step will results in more sub-step levels than are defined in the format
+			ItemInfo.PasteStepIsWithinDefinedSubStepLevels(tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep.ItemID, MyItemInfo, false);
 			MyEditItem.PasteSiblingAfter(tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep.ItemID);
 		}
 		private void btnPasteBefore_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
@@ -3889,6 +3901,8 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 			StepTabPanel tmp = Parent as StepTabPanel;
 			if (tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep == null) return;
 			SaveTableChanges(); // B2018-055 Save Current Changes to the table
+			// F2021-009 display a message if pasting step will results in more sub-step levels than are defined in the format
+			ItemInfo.PasteStepIsWithinDefinedSubStepLevels(tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep.ItemID, MyItemInfo, false);
 			MyEditItem.PasteSiblingBefore(tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep.ItemID);
 		}
 		private void btnStepPaste_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
@@ -3927,6 +3941,8 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 		{
 			StepTabPanel tmp = Parent as StepTabPanel;
 			if (tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep == null) return;
+			// F2021-009 display a message if pasting step will results in more sub-step levels than are defined in the format
+			ItemInfo.PasteStepIsWithinDefinedSubStepLevels(tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep.ItemID, MyItemInfo, true);
 			EditItem oldEditItem = MyEditItem;
 			MyEditItem = MyEditItem.PasteReplace(tmp.MyDisplayTabControl.MyCopyStep.ItemID);
 			if (MyEditItem == null) oldEditItem.IdentifyMe(false); // B2017-179 if null then we didn't do the replace but did position to the first transition that needs resolved