Spotlight on Word

If you are an organised individual, then lists have got to form a big part of your home and working life. Even for the most disorganised among us, whether it's a brief To Do List, a shopping list or, more seasonally, a list of people to send Christmas cards to, a list is essential.

Within Microsoft Word, there are three types of lists at your disposal, namely Bulleted, Numbered and Outlined. In a work context you may have received lists from your colleagues to which you have need to add additional points at the end, rearrange the order or sort out 'messed up' numbering. Bullets & Numbering can be problematic within Word and there are a few tricks of the trade as well as some pitfalls to avoid, when working with the three types of lists. Let's start with a few examples:

Bulletted

As you can see from the above examples, you can have the default black circle or you can choose from any number of shaped and coloured bullets.

Numbered 

With numbered lists you can choose from regular numbers, letters or Roman numerals. You can also choose to start from a different starting position.

Outlined 

With Outlined lists you have a main list with indented points underneath. These lists can include numbers, letters, bullets or the more traditional left hand side example.

Creating your Lists 

• For both the bulleted and numbered lists the process of creation is quite similar
  
• Choose either the Bullets  or Numbers icon from your toolbar.
• This will either give you a regular black circle or the number 1
  
• Type your first list point and then press Enter
  
• This will give you another bullet or the number 2
• Carry on typing your points and pressing Enter after each one
• When you reach the end of your list press Enter twice
• This will take you out of your list and back into your main document

Adding Points to your List

• If you wish to add extra points at the end of your list
• Click at the end of your last list point and press Enter
• This will put you back into the list and you can carry on as before
• If your points need to be inserted within your list
• Place your cursor at the end of the point above where you want to insert it and press Enter
• This will add another point and in the case of a numbered list will renumber the other points
  

Formatting your List

• Highlight your list and choose Format + Bullets & Numbering
• Choose either one of the default options or choose the Customise button
• If you are using the Bulleted list you can then choose from the Character  button or the Picture button
  
• If you choose the Character button you are given a huge range of options including stars and desert islands, so you will certainly be able to find an appropriate icon
• You can also choose the Font button and select a colour for your chosen Bullet
• If you choose the Picture button you are given a large range of pictures and, if you are connected to the Internet that range increases to include images from the Microsoft website
• You cannot change the colour of a picture bullet as they are already coloured
• If you are using the Numbered list you can choose from Letters or Roman numerals, both of which can be upper or lower case

Outlining your List

Tips for Lists

• If you want to type some text on the next line but you do not want another bullet or list press Shift + Enter
• This will give you another line in the list for the same point
• When you want the next bullet or number press Enter
• If you want to start at a different number than 1, choose the Number icon and then Format + Bullets & Numbering and the Customise button
• Choose your required starting number from the option at the top right
• If you want line spacing between your points choose Format + Paragraph and choose an option from the Paragraph spacing at the bottom left