Word puts a fairly wide gap between each bullet and its text, often a quarter or half inch. That can look loose in résumés, narrow columns, or tables. You can shrink the gap for one list or all lists by adjusting the list indents, changing what follows the bullet, or dragging the ruler markers. This guide covers each method in Word for Windows and Mac, how to make the change stick for new lists, and how to fix gaps that won’t close.
Quick Answer
Select the list, right-click a bullet, and choose Adjust List Indents. Lower the Text indent (for example, to 0.15″ or 0.25″), or change Follow number with from Tab character to Space. Click OK.
Why the Gap Is There
Each bullet is followed by a tab that jumps to the text indent position. The gap equals the text indent minus the bullet position. Reducing the text indent, or replacing the tab with a space, shrinks the gap.
Method 1: Adjust List Indents (Recommended)
- Select all the items in the list, or click anywhere in it.
- Right-click a bullet and choose Adjust List Indents.
- Set Text indent to a smaller value. Try 0.15″ to 0.25″ if the bullet position is 0″.
- Keep Follow number with set to Tab character for neatly aligned wrapped lines. Uncheck Add tab stop at so Word uses the text indent.
- Click OK.
Method 2: Replace the Tab with a Space
In Adjust List Indents, set Follow number with to Space (a small gap) or Nothing (no gap). A space gives the tightest spacing, but wrapped lines won’t align under the first word unless you also set the text indent to match.
Method 3: Drag the Ruler Markers
- Turn on the ruler: View > Ruler.
- Select the list items.
- On the ruler, drag the Hanging Indent marker (the small bottom triangle) left, closer to the First Line Indent marker (the top triangle). Don’t drag the small rectangle, which moves both.
Hold Alt while dragging to see exact measurements.
Method 4: Paragraph Dialog (Exact Numbers)
- Select the list and open Home > Paragraph settings (the small arrow).
- Under Indentation, set Left (where the text starts) and Special: Hanging with a By value (the gap from the bullet to the text). For example, Left 0.25″ with Hanging 0.25″ puts the bullet at the margin and the text 0.25″ in.
- Click OK.
Recommended Settings
| Look | Bullet position | Text indent | Follow with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word default | 0.25″ | 0.5″ | Tab |
| Compact (résumés) | 0″ | 0.2″ | Tab |
| Very tight | 0″ | 0.15″ | Tab |
| Minimal | 0″ | Any | Space |
Make It the Default for New Lists
- Using styles: right-click the List Paragraph or List Bullet style in the Styles gallery and choose Modify. Then use Format > Paragraph and Format > Numbering to set the indents, and select New documents based on this template.
- Using a list definition: Home > Multilevel List > Define New Multilevel List lets you set the aligned-at and indent-at values for each level.
Word for Mac and the Web
- Mac: right-click a bullet and choose Adjust List Indents, or use the ruler.
- Web: use Home > Decrease Indent, or the ruler if shown. Detailed list indent settings need the desktop app.
Troubleshooting
Only one bullet changed
Select all items in the list before adjusting. Right-clicking a bullet usually selects the whole list.
The gap didn’t shrink after lowering the text indent
A tab stop is set further right. Uncheck Add tab stop at, or clear tabs in Paragraph > Tabs > Clear All.
Changes revert when you add new items
The list style is overriding your formatting. Change the style or list definition as described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work for numbered lists?
Yes. The same Adjust List Indents options apply to numbered lists.
Can I change the bullet’s size instead?
Yes. Select the list, click the arrow next to Bullets, choose Define New Bullet > Font, and set a smaller size. See our guide to formatting bullet points in Word for more options.
Summary
- Right-click a bullet and choose Adjust List Indents.
- Lower the Text indent, or set Follow number with to Space.
- Or drag the hanging indent marker on the ruler.
- Save the settings in a style or list definition for future lists.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.