{"id":193883,"date":"2022-06-14T16:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T14:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=193883"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:39:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:39:36","slug":"how-to-format-manage-lists-microsoft-word","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-format-manage-lists-microsoft-word\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfectly format and manage lists in Microsoft Word"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The best way to manage any kind of complex task or procedure is to create a list. Microsoft Word lists <\/strong>are in use by people from all walks of life, from housewives or husbands out shopping to NASA astronauts and teams in charge of operational control and launch procedures. No matter what you need to do, as long as you\u2019re working from a list<\/strong>, you\u2019re not likely to leave out any important steps, ingredients, or procedures.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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With the importance of lists in mind, let\u2019s delve into how to manage lists in Microsoft Word<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. Create a List in Microsoft Word<\/h2>\"Perfectly

    The first step to learning how to manage a list within Microsoft Word is to create a list to manage. Word is relatively easy to master, especially when it comes to lists. All of the tools you\u2019ll need while working with your list are located in the top-most ribbon, in the <\/span>paragraph feature group<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Lists can be either numbered or defined by bullets. You\u2019ll find both of these options in the paragraph feature group, and using them is as easy as clicking on your desired list arrangement scheme.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Microsoft can also, however, detect when you are trying to create a list based on certain keyboard interactions. For instance, If you type a number, for instance, 1, followed by a period, a space, and the <\/span>Enter <\/b>key, Word will automatically convert your subsequent text into a numbered list. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Hitting the <\/span>Enter <\/b>key again after you\u2019ve finished typing the first item\u2019s content will add additional numbered items in ascending order. If you start a line with an asterisk followed by a space, Word will intelligently create a bullet point. Hitting the <\/span>Enter <\/b>key with add more bullets below the initial entry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    This feature is helpful, but typing a number or an asterisk doesn\u2019t always mean you want a list. Therefore, if you find this feature annoying, you can disable the option by heading to<\/span> File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat as you Type<\/b>, and deselecting the autoformat option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you create a numbered list but decide that a bullet list would better suit your needs or vice versa, you can switch the formatting around by clicking on the desired configuration in the paragraph feature group.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  2. Create a List with Just your Keyboard<\/h2>\"Perfectly

    This isn\u2019t so much a step as it is a different way to achieve the same goal. Microsoft Word has a number of built-in shortcuts<\/a> that limit the need for mouse or cursor interactions. Speaking as someone who spends the bulk of his day typing, it\u2019s far easier when you don\u2019t have to switch input methods while working on a project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    All you need to do to apply the default bullet list configuration to your text is to hit<\/span> Ctrl+Shift+L<\/b> on your keyboard. You can then also press<\/span> Ctrl+Shift+N<\/b> to remove bullets again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Microsoft Word also gives you the ability to customize keyboard shortcuts to make life even easier for yourself. All you need to do to achieve this is:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n