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PowerPoint allows you to apply bullets or numbering to text in any text box. These features can help you organize your presentation's lists, steps, and instructions.
Understanding Bullets, Numbering, and List Levels
Bullets and numbering allow you to organize text in lists. Bullets are useful for unordered lists in which each item is not significantly more important than others. Numbering is useful for lists in which each item is part of a sequence of steps and ought to be followed in that order. By using list levels, you can organize bullets and numbering into categories. List levels can express categories through any combination of indentation, font size, and bullet styles or list styles.
EXAMPLE: The lists below are examples of bulleted and numbered lists. Each list has three list levels: The bulleted list's first list level is represented by a filled-in bullet, the second with a blank bullet, and the third with a square bullet. The numbered list's first list level is represented by arabic numerals, the second by alphabet, and the third by roman numerals.
List items on the first list level (e.g., Core classes, Are you a citizen of the United States?) are categories of items on the second list level (e.g., Engl 210, Do you currently reside in either Wisconsin or Minnesota?), and are expressed through indentation and bullet or list styles.
Also, in these examples, list items on the third list level (e.g., Select from 484... 468, If yes, what city do you live in?) cannot be understood alone without the context of the second list level item above them. These two lists are organized by their bullets or numbering, and are categorized by their list levels.
Applying Bullets and Numbering
Creating bulleted or numbered text is simple. If you create a new slide that contains a text box, it may have bullets automatically formatted for you.
On the desired slide, select the text to which you want to add bullets or numbering
For a bulleted list, from the Home command tab, in the Paragraph group, click BULLETS
For a numbered list, from the Home command tab, in the Paragraph group, click NUMBERINGOPTIONAL: Format your bullets or numbering
Adjusting List Levels
Complete the following steps to adjust list levels.
Create a bulleted or numbered list
Select the list item(s) for which you want to adjust the list level
To move the selected item ahead one list level, from the Home command tab, in the Paragraph group, click INCREASE LIST LEVEL
OR
Press [Tab]To move the selected item back one list level, from the Home command tab, in the Paragraph group, click DECREASE LIST LEVEL
OR
Press [Shift] + [Tab]
Accessing the Bullets and Numbering Dialog Box
The Bullets and Numbering dialog box will be the most helpful tool you can use for formatting bullets or numbering. With it, you can change the style of your bullets or numbering, as well as change their size and color.
From the Home command tab, in the Paragraph group, click the
next to BULLETS or NUMBERING » select Bullets and Numbering...
OR
On the slide, in any text box, right click » select Bullets or Numbering » select Bullets and Numbering...
The Bullets and Numbering dialog box appears.
next to BULLETS 
Formatting Bullets
If you are using a slide theme, PowerPoint will apply the theme's preformatted bullet styles to your presentation. Despite the slide theme, you can change these styles to your preference.
Applying Preformatted Bullet Styles
Select the list items for which you want to change bullet styles
Access the Bullets and Numbering dialog box
Select the Bulleted tab
From the display pane, select the desired preformatted bullet style
Click OK
The bullet style is changed for all selected list items.
Applying a Picture Bullet
Select the list items for which you want to change bullet styles
Access the Bullets and Numbering dialog box
Select the Bulleted tab
Click PICTURE...
The Picture Bullet dialog box appears.- To add a picture bullet from the list,
< >Scroll to and select the desired picture bullet Click OK
The Picture Bullet and Bullets and Numbering dialog box closes.
The bullet style is changed for all selected list item - Click IMPORT...
The Add Clips to Organizer dialog box appears. - From the Look in pull-down list, navigate to and select the desired picture
- Click ADD
The picture appears in the list of picture bullets. - Scroll to and select the desired picture bullet
- Click OK
The Picture Bullet and Bullets and Numbering dialog boxes close.
The bullet style is changed for all selected list items.
Applying Bullet Styles from the Symbols Gallery
Select the list items for which you want to change bullet styles
Access the Bullets and Numbering dialog box
Select the Bulleted tab
Click CUSTOMIZE...
The Symbol dialog box appears.From the Font pull-down list, select the desired font for your bullet
From the scroll list, navigate to and select the desired bullet
Click OK
The Symbol dialog box closes.Click OK
The Bullets and Numbering dialog box closes.
The bullet style is changed for all selected list items.
Formatting Numbers
If you are using a slide theme, PowerPoint will apply the theme's preformatted number styles to your presentation. Despite the slide theme, you can change these styles to your preference.
Select the list items for which you want to change number styles
Access the Bullets and Numbering dialog box
Select the Numbered tab
From the display pane, select the desired preformatted number style
Click OK
The number style is changed for all selected list items.
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How do you use bullets in PowerPoint 2007? ›
On the left-hand side of the PowerPoint window, click a slide thumbnail that you want to add bulleted or numbered text to. On the slide, select the lines of text in a text placeholder or table that you want to add bullets or numbering to. On the HOME tab, in the Paragraph group, click Bullets or Numbering.
What is the use of bullets and numbering feature of MS PowerPoint? ›You can use bulleted or numbered lists to help organize your text or show a sequential process in your PowerPoint presentation. On the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, click Normal.
Which toolbar in PowerPoint has bullets and numbering option? ›Go to Paragraph group; Then you will view the Bullets button and Numbering button.
How do I reset bullet numbers in PowerPoint? ›Double-click the numbers in the list. The text will not appear selected. Right-click the number you want to start a new list. Click Restart at 1.
How do you use bullets in Word 2007 explain? ›Select the text you want to change into a list. Go to Home> Bullets or Home> Numbering.
What are the two uses of inserting bullets and numbering in a presentation? ›The two uses of bullets are: I. It allows us to present and describe matter in brief, point-wise. II. It also makes the slide look attractive.
When you should use a bulleted list and a numbered list give example? ›Bulleted and numbered lists help to simplify steps or items to readers. Teachers often use bulleted lists to highlight important pieces of their lessons. Manuals often include numbered lists to assist readers with step-by-step instruction.
Why do you need to use bullets or numbering in your document? ›The effective use of bullet points in business writing can help highlight important information, direct the reader to themed lists, and improve a document's overall readability.
Which menu contains the option of bullets and numbering? ›Method B: Bullets and Numbers in Format Menu if you have Classic Menu for Office. Click the Menus tab; Click the Format drop down menu; Then you will view the Bullets and Numbering…
How can you make a bulleted list with numbers? ›- Select the text you want to convert to bulleted or numbered list.
- Select the Home tab.
- In Paragraph group click the Bullets or Numbering command.
- It displays Bullets or Numbering menu.
- With a left click select the desired Bullet or Numbering style.
What is the difference between a numbered list and a bulleted list? ›
Items in a bulleted list are preceded by a bullet ● or other symbol. Items in numbered lists are preceded by a number or letter.
Which tab is belongs to bullets and numbering? ›Answer: The function of bullets and numbering icons are found in the home tab. Explanation: It is given in the Home tab under the subcategory of Paragraph.
What is the easiest way to restart bullet numbering? ›Restart numbering at 1
On the Format menu, click Bullets and Numbering, and then click the Numbered tab. Under List numbering, click Restart numbering.
- Make sure all items in the list are related to each other.
- Use the same font and margin width in each bulleted point.
- Keep bullet points short, preferably no more than three lines long.
- Begin all items with the same part of speech (active verbs work well) and make sure they are in parallel form.
Click the Bullets button list arrow or the Numbering button list arrow. Depending on which style of list you're using, you can choose a new symbol for the bullets or a different numbering style, such as roman numerals. Select a new list style.
What is the command for bullet point in Word? ›- To create a bulleted list, type * (asterisk), and then press Spacebar or the Tab key.
- To create a numbered list, type 1., and then press Spacebar or the Tab key.
The 7x7 Rule says that, for each slide in your presentation, you should use no more than: 7 lines (or bullets) per slide. 7 (or fewer) words per line.
Which feature is used to create bulleted or numbered list? ›Detailed Solution. The correct answer is Bullets and Numbering. Bullets and Numbering feature of MS Word help to create a list in a document.
What are two ways to insert bullet points in a document? ›Turn lines of text into a bulleted list by selecting the text and then clicking Home> Paragraph> Bullets. Each line or paragraph becomes a bullet in the list. Tip: Press Enter to move text to its own line, or press Enter twice to end the bulleted list.
What is the order of bullet points? ›A) Begin each bullet with the same part of speech (noun, verb, adjective) It is very common to use action verbs (also known as dynamic verbs) to begin each item in a bulleted list.
What is an example sentence for bullet? ›
Example Sentences
He was killed by an assassin's bullet. Bullets were used to separate each item. The quarterback threw a bullet to the receiver.
In bulleted lists, each paragraph begins with a bullet character. In numbered lists, each paragraph begins with an expression that includes a number or letter and a separator such as a period or parenthesis. The numbers in a numbered list are updated automatically when you add or remove paragraphs in the list.
When should you not use bullet points? ›In general, bulleted lists are helpful when you want to quickly and efficiently give a reader important information. In formal writing, it is usually recommended to not overuse bulleted lists and save them for when you really need to capture an audience's attention.
How many default numbering styles are there to choose from in PowerPoint? ›By default, PowerPoint uses the 1, 2, 3 numerical style for numbered lists.
Where are the bullets and numbering options are found? ›The function of bullets and numbering icons are found in the home tab. Explanation: It is given in the Home tab under the subcategory of Paragraph. But in other versions, one can also find the same under the Format tab where you can find the bullets and numbering option very easily.
How do you enter Bullets numbering and multilevel list? ›- Select the text or numbered list you want to change.
- On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to Multilevel List. ...
- Specify a name for your new list style.
- Choose the number to start the list at. ...
- Choose a level in the list to apply your formatting.
Superscript. Superscript. Automatically formats numbered and bulleted lists.
Which tag is used to lists the items with Bullets? ›The <li> tag defines a list item. The <li> tag is used inside ordered lists(<ol>), unordered lists (<ul>), and in menu lists (<menu>). In <ul> and <menu>, the list items will usually be displayed with bullet points.
Do you use full stops in a numbered list? ›Numbered lists may appear with or without the period after the number. One has flexibility in choosing styles for punctuating lists, as long as consistency is maintained within a document.
What is a numbered list format? ›Use a numbered list to display complete sentences or paragraphs in a series (e.g., itemized conclusions, steps in a procedure). Use a lettered list or bulleted list rather than a numbered list if the items are phrases.
Do you capitalize every word in a bulleted list? ›
Ensure that the tense and structure of each item work with the introductory sentence. The first letter of each point should not be capitalised (unless it is a proper noun).
How do you change the level for a bulleted or numbered list? ›- Click the bullet or number that has moved out of position.
- On the Home tab, under Paragraph, click the arrow next to Bullets or Numbering.
- Point to Change List Level, and then click the level that you want.
- Go to File > Options > Proofing.
- Select AutoCorrect Options, and then select the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
- Select or clear Automatic bulleted lists or Automatic numbered lists.
- Select OK.
The slide numbering placeholder needs to be activated on your Slide Master layout. Any previous updates to your presentation or template may have 'deactivated' the placeholder for one or more of the layouts in your presentation. To do this: From the View tab of the PowerPoint ribbon, select Slide Master.
Why are numbers not showing on PowerPoint? ›4) If the slide number is not showing, go to Master Layout and check the Slide number checkbox. Then, select OK.
How do I format numbers in PowerPoint? ›- On the Home tab, click Number Format. , and then click More Number Formats.
- In the Format Cells dialog box, in the Category box, click Custom.
- In the Type list, select the number format that you want to customize. ...
- In the Type box, make the necessary changes to the selected number format.
- In Normal view, select all the slides (Ctrl A)
- From the Home tab, in the Slides group, choose Reset. The formatting of the slides will be replaced by the Master styles.
On the slide, select the lines of text in a text placeholder or table that you want to add bullets or numbering to. On the HOME tab, in the Paragraph group, click Bullets or Numbering. To change all lines of text, select the outline of the text object, and then apply the bullet or numbering.
How do I start numbering again? ›- Double-click the numbers in the list. The text will not appear selected.
- Right-click the number you want to start a new list.
- Click Restart at 1.
From the View tab, in the Master views group, choose Slide Master or Hold your Shift key and click on the Normal icon on the Status bar (at the bottom of the window). Make sure the text & bullet styles are you want.
What is the shortcut for bullet points in PowerPoint? ›
Tips: You can use a keyboard shortcut to create a bulleted list or a numbered list. To create a bulleted list, type * (asterisk), and then press Spacebar or the Tab key. To create a numbered list, type 1., and then press Spacebar or the Tab key.
Where is the Bullets icon in PowerPoint? ›Start by clicking in any text box. Come over to the Home tab and click the Bullets icon to add bullets to your PowerPoint slide. To add bullets in PowerPoint, click in the text box and then click the Bullets icon.
How do you make a bullet symbol for text in PowerPoint? ›- Select an existing bulleted list.
- On the Home tab, click the Bullets drop-down arrow.
- Select Bullets and Numbering from the menu that appears.
- A dialog box will appear. ...
- The Symbol dialog box will appear.
- Click the Font drop-down box and select a font. ...
- Select the desired symbol.
- Click OK.
- Go to File > Options > Proofing.
- Select AutoCorrect Options, and then select the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
- Select or clear Automatic bulleted lists or Automatic numbered lists.
- Select OK.
Paste cut or copied text, object, or slide. Ctrl+V. Insert a hyperlink. Ctrl+K. Insert a new comment.
What does Ctrl M do in PowerPoint? ›Ctrl+M in Microsoft PowerPoint
In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl + M inserts a blank slide after the currently-selected one.
- On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google Docs or Slides.
- Click a page or slide where you want to add a list.
- In the toolbar, choose a list type. If you can't find the option, click More . Numbered list ...
- Optional: To start a list inside a list, press Tab on your keyboard.
- On the Home tab, click Number Format. , and then click More Number Formats.
- In the Format Cells dialog box, in the Category box, click Custom.
- In the Type list, select the number format that you want to customize. ...
- In the Type box, make the necessary changes to the selected number format.
Click in the list to which you want to add picture bullets or symbols. To change an entire list level in a multilevel list, click one bullet or number at that level in the list. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to Bullets, and then click Define New Bullet.
How to do multilevel bullets on PowerPoint? ›- Select the text or numbered list you want to change.
- On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to Multilevel List. ...
- Specify a name for your new list style.
- Choose the number to start the list at. ...
- Choose a level in the list to apply your formatting.