In Microsoft Word, how do I create an outlined list or paragraph?

To outline lists or paragraphs in Microsoft Word:

Word 2007

1. Place the cursor where you want to begin your list or outline.
   
   
2. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, select Bullets, Numbering, or Multilevel List. Click the arrow next to each icon to see style and formatting options.
   
   
3. On the page you're working on, each time you press Enter, Word will add a number or bullet to the next item.
   
   
4. To create a subitem, after pressing Enter, press the Tab key. Word will indent and correctly add a number or bullet to the next item.
   
   
5. After creating a subitem, to return to the previous level of outlining, press Enter and then press Shift-Tab. Your outline will look somewhat like the following: 1. Item a) Subitem 2. Item a) Subitem
6. To end the outlining format, press the Enter key twice.

Note: The user interface for Office 2007 programs is significantly different from that of older versions, and new terms and concepts apply to this Office suite. For information about the new terminology and features, see For Office 2007, what are some new interface features?

Word 2003 and older

1. Place the cursor where you want to begin your list or outline.
   
   
2. From the Format menu, select Bullets and Numbering... .
   
   
3. Click the tab labeled with the format you desire. The dialog box will offer graphic examples of your chosen format.
   
   
4. Click the box that represents the style you desire. Click OK.
   
   
5. On the page you're working on, each time you press Enter, Word will add a number or bullet to the next item.
   
   
6. To create a subitem, after pressing Enter, press the Tab key. Word will indent and correctly add a number or bullet to the next item.
   
   
7. After creating a subitem, to return to the previous level of outlining, press Enter and then press Shift-Tab. Your outline will look somewhat like the following: 1. Item a) Subitem 2. Item a) Subitem
8. To end the outlining format, press the Enter key twice.

Also see:

• In Microsoft Word, how do I stop Word from automatically inserting numbers and bullets?