How to Create a Numbered or Bulleted List in Word 2003

While preparing an outline of any kind, you can use autoformatting in Word 2003 to create a numbered or bulleted list as you type. Or you can employ the formatting toolbar to turn a normal list into a multi-leveled numbered list. Just adhere to the following steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Word 2003
• Computer

1. Create a new Word document in Microsoft Word 2003. Click "File," and then "New" or open an existing document.

2. Set your formatting options. Click "Tools," and then "AutoCorrect Options." Click the “AutoFormat As You Type” tab. Select “Automatic bulleted lists” and “Automatic numbered lists.” Click “OK.”

3. Create an automatic numbered list. Begin a line by typing “1.”

4. Type the first item directly after the “1.” Press "Enter."

5. Notice that Word automatically fills in the second number. Type the next item and press "Enter." Repeat the process until you have typed in all of your items.

6. Complete the list by hitting "Enter" twice or deleting any superfluous numbers.

7. To start an automatic bulleted list, type an asterisk (*). Press the space bar or tab key.

8. To create the list, type the items as you did in steps 4 through 6. Instead of numbers, bullets will appear.

9. To add bullets or numbers to an existing list, highlight the list. Choose "Format" on the toolbar, and then "Bullets and Numbering." Select one of the four tabs to apply the formatting.

Tips & Warnings

• To increase a level within a list, hit the "Tab" key. To decrease a level, hold "Shift" and hit the "Tab" key.
• Use the "Increase Indent" and "Decrease Indent" buttons to create multi-leveled lists.
• Make lists as you go to avoid formatting oddities.

[DMDisbrow]

on 3/13/2008 Thank you! You came to my rescue with these instructions. We have many old Word files at work, and many are at least 10 years old and have gone thru two Word updates. So there are many sets of instructions that are no longer numbering correctly. I was struggling for a couple of hours on a 9-step instruction section when I went to Google to look for help. Your article appeared; I followed your instructions; it worked! You get lots of stars from me (although I just joined eHow to give you this comment, but I don't know how to give you your due credit). Now, just 124 more manuals to go with instruction sets... I guess I have job security, huh? :-)