Microsoft Word 2008

Customizing Bulleted & Numbered Lists

By modifying numbered or bulleted lists, you are able to change the way the information is displayed. For example, you can create multilevel lists. By customizing numbered or bulleted lists, you are able to change the appearance of each bullet or number. For example, instead of a plain bullet, you could use a symbol or a picture.

This document discusses the methods for modifying and customizing lists. For information on creating bulleted lists, refer to Using Bulleted Lists.

Modifying Bulleted Lists
Customizing Bulleted Lists
Modifying Numbered Lists
Customizing Numbered Lists

Modifying Bulleted Lists

Word gives you ways of modifying the format of your bulleted list. The following instructions will show you how to add explanatory text within your list without creating additional bullets and how to create a multilevel list.

Adding Text to the List

Perhaps you want to add information to a list item but do not want to create a separate list item. Using this simple keystroke will place your insertion point on the next line without a bullet appearing.

Place the insertion point after the last character in the list item where you want to add text
Press [Shift] + [Enter]
The insertion point appears under the previous list item.
Type the additional text

Creating a Multilevel List (Outline)

Sometimes, one level of numbering is not enough. Creating an outline can help organize your document for clearer presentation. Word allows up to nine different levels for outline lists. It is easy to demote or promote a list item from one level to another using the INDENT buttons as described here. For more information, refer to Using Multilevel List Numbering.

Customizing Bulleted Lists

Customizing your bulleted list allows you to use creative and eye-catching bullets. Word provides many different images from which to choose. The following instructions assume that a bulleted list has already been created. If you do not have a bulleted list, refer to Using Bulleted Lists.

Customizing Bulleted Lists: Dialog Box Option

Select the bulleted list you want to customize
From the Format menu, select Bullets and Numbering...
The Bullets and Numbering dialog box appears.
Select the desired preset bullet option
If the desired bullet option does not appear, click CUSTOMIZE...
The Customize bulleted list dialog box appears.
To select a symbol for your bullet,
1. Under Bullet character, click BULLET...
  The Symbol dialog box appears.
2. Select the desired bullet character
3. Click OK
To select a picture for your bullet,
1. Under Bullet character, click PICTURE...
2. The Choose a Picture dialog box appears.
3. Navigate to and select the desired image
4. Click INSERT
To add a first line tab, select Add tab stop at:
To change the location of the first line tab, in the Add tab stop at: text box, type or use the nudge buttons to select the position of the tab
To change the second line indentation, in the Indent at: text box, type or use the nudge buttons to select the width of the indentation
Click OK

Customizing Bulleted Lists: Toolbar Option

Select the bulleted list you want to customize
On the Standard menu, click TOOLBOX
The Formatting Palette appears.
Select the Bullets and Numbering toolbar
From the Style pull-down menu, select the desired style
To adjust the indentation of your entire list, click DECREASE INDENT
OR
Click INCREASE INDENT

Modifying Numbered Lists

Word gives you ways of modifying the format of your numbered list. The following instructions will show you how to add explanatory text within your list without creating additional numbers and how to create a multilevel list.

Adding Text to the List

Perhaps you want to add information to a step but do not want to create a separate list item. Using this simple keystroke will place your insertion point on the next line without a number appearing.

Place the insertion point after the last character in the step where you want to add text
Press [Shift] + [Enter]
Your insertion point appears under the previous list item.
Type the additional text

Creating a Multilevel List (Outline)

Customizing Numbered Lists

Customizing your numbered list allows you to have a wider variety of styles for numbers. Word provides several different ways of customizing your numbers in order to create an effective numbered list. The following instructions assume that a numbered list has already been created. If you do not have a numbered list, refer to Using Numbered Lists.

Customizing Numbered Lists: Dialog Box Option

Select the numbered list you want to customize
From the Format menu, select Bullets and Numbering...
Select the desired preset numbering option
If the desired option does not appear, click CUSTOMIZE...
The Customize numbered list dialog box appears
.
To change the number style, from the Number style pull-down list, select the desired option
To change the number format, in the Number format text box, make the desired changes
EXAMPLE: Instead of following numerals with a period (1.), you may want to follow them with a dash (1-).
To change the numbering alignment, from the Number position pull-down list, select Left, Right, or Centered.

Left-aligned Centered Right-aligned
To add a first line tab, select Add tab stop at:
To change the location of the first line tab, in the Add tab stop at: text box, type or use the nudge buttons to select the position of the tab
To change the second line indentation, in the Indent at: text box, type or use the nudge buttons to select the width of the indentation
To change the starting number, in the Start at: text box, type or use the nudge buttons to select the starting number
Click OK

Customizing Numbered Lists: Toolbar Option

Select the numbered list you want to customize
On the Standard menu, click TOOLBOX
The Formatting Palette appears.
Select the Bullets and Numbering toolbar
From the Style pull-down menu, select the desired style
To adjust the indentation of your entire list, click DECREASE INDENT
OR
Click INCREASE INDENT

Left-aligned	Centered	Right-aligned