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University of Wyoming

Word
Tame Those Outlines!

[pdf version]

Ever been frustrated when working with bullets or numbering in Microsoft Word?  Here are some ideas to get outlines to do what you want.

Set the Format

Set the format for a bulleted or numbered list before typing.

  1. Click Format > Bullets and Numbering.  The Bullets and Numbering dialog box displays.
  2. Select the Bulleted, Numbered, or Outlined Numbered tab.
  3. Select the desired format.
  4. Begin typing the list.
  5. Press the Tab key to move down a level in the list.
  6. Press the Shift + Tab keys to move up a level in the list.

Remove the Numbering Sequence

  1. Highlight the paragraphs that are not to be numbered.
  2. Click Format > Bullets and Numbering.
  3. Click the None box.  The numbering is removed.

Renumber Items

  1. Highlight the paragraphs to be renumbered.
  2. Right-click the paragraphs.  A shortcut menu displays.
  3. Left-click Restart Numbering.

Continue Numbering from a Previous List

  1. Highlight the paragraphs to be numbered.
  2. Right-click the paragraphs.  A shortcut menu displays.
  3. Left-click Continue Numbering.

Miscellaneous

  • Renumbering is done automatically when a paragraph is added or deleted.
  • To add an item to a list, place the cursor at the end of the previous line.  Press Enter.
  • Bullets and numbering can be stopped at any time in the document.
  1. Press the Backspace key; or,
  2. Press the Enter key twice.

Disable Bullets and Numbering

Bullets and numbering are part of the auto format feature in Word and can be disabled.

  1. Click Tools > AutoCorrect Options.  The AutoCorrect dialog box opens.  See Figure 1.
  2. Click the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
  3. Uncheck the Automatic bulleted lists and the Automatic numbered lists options under the Apply as you type list.
  4. Click OK.

Figure 1. AutoCorrect

Ed.  08/2004

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Updated 09/15/2006