How to Disable Bullets & Numbering in OpenOffice

Turn bullet points and numbering off when not required.

OpenOffice is an open-source project that since 2002 has offered a range of office suite functions including word processing and spreadsheets. It is similar to and compatible with Microsoft Word. It is free and available throughout the world. Extensive informational resources support users at whatever their level of familiarity with the software.

Instructions

Removing List Formatting

1. Highlight a numbered or bullet point list by clicking the first or last character and dragging the mouse up or down to cover the list in a blue block of color. The blue color will not cover the first number or bullet point, but this will be included when you disable the formatting.

2. Click "Format" on the top menu bar and scroll down to "Bullets and numbering." Click this option, which opens an option panel.

3. Click "Remove" on the bottom edge of the panel. This action closes the option panel and the bullet points or numbering disappear from the typed list.

Inserting Nonformatted Entries Within a Formatted List

1. Right-click a formatted list to bring up the pop-up "Bullets and Numbering" toolbar. Click a line under which you want to insert an extra nonformatted entry.

2. Read along the "Bullets and numbering" toolbar to "Insert unnumbered entry" and click. This inserts a space directly below the line in which to type an extra entry, without adding a bullet point or a number.

3. Click "Insert unnumbered entry" for as many single-line entries as you want to insert. Be careful not to press "Enter" to bring up a new line or you will format it.

Three Alternative Methods to Disable Bullet Points and Numbering

1. Change the default to prevent typed lists from being formatted automatically. Click "Tools," then "Autocorrect" and uncheck "Apply numbering."

2. Click the formatting on or off on the pop-up toolbar or turn it off completely. Run your cursor along the toolbar to highlight the labels, which, unless you have altered the sequence, should be the first three on the left.

3. Highlight the list, right-click the highlighted area and scroll down the pop-up menu to "Bullets and numbering," which brings up the option panel. Click "Remove" as in Section 1, Step 2.

References

• University of Aberdeen; Notes on OpenOffice Writer; John D. Lamb; December 2009
• OpenOffice.org: About

Resources

• "OpenOffice Basic Crash Course"; Dmitri Popov; 2008
• OpenOffice: Creating Bulleted and Numbered Lists; Jan. 17, 2009