Bullet points break long text into quick, scannable items, and Word gives you several ways to add them. You can click a button, use a keyboard shortcut, let Word create the list as you type, or drop a single bullet symbol into the middle of a sentence. This guide covers all of them in Word for Windows and Mac, plus how to make sub-bullets, change the bullet style, and end a list.
Quick answer
Click where you want the list (or select existing lines), then click the Bullets button in the Paragraph group on the Home tab. Type each item and press Enter for the next bullet. Press Enter twice to end the list.
Method 1: Use the Bullets button
- Click where you want the list to start, or select the lines you want to turn into bullets.
- Go to the Home tab.
- In the Paragraph group, click the Bullets button (the icon with three dots and lines).
- Type your first item and press Enter. Word adds the next bullet automatically.
Click the small arrow next to the Bullets button to choose a different bullet style from the Bullet Library, such as squares, arrows, or check marks.
Method 2: Use a keyboard shortcut
On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + L to apply Word’s List Bullet style to the current paragraph. Press Ctrl + Q or Ctrl + Shift + N to return to normal text.
On a Mac, there’s no default bullet list shortcut, but you can type the bullet character itself with Option + 8, or start an automatic list as described next.
Method 3: Let Word create the list as you type
At the start of a new line, type an asterisk (*) or a hyphen (–) followed by a space, then type your text. Word converts it to a bulleted list automatically. An asterisk becomes a round bullet, and a hyphen becomes a dash.
If this doesn’t work, the feature may be turned off. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, open the AutoFormat As You Type tab, and check Automatic bulleted lists. On a Mac, it’s under Word > Preferences > AutoCorrect.
Method 4: Insert a single bullet symbol
To put a bullet (•) inside a line of text, for example “Monday • Wednesday • Friday”, insert the symbol without creating a list:
- Windows: Hold Alt and type 0149 on the number pad, then release Alt.
- Mac: Press Option + 8.
- Any computer: Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, find the bullet character (it’s in the General Punctuation subset), and click Insert.
Create sub-bullets
To add a sub-point under a bullet, press Tab at the start of the line. The bullet moves in a level and usually changes style. Press Shift + Tab to move it back out. You can also use the Increase Indent and Decrease Indent buttons on the Home tab. Our guide on indenting bullet points in Word covers this in more detail.
Change the bullet style
- Select the bulleted items.
- Click the arrow next to Bullets and choose Define New Bullet.
- Click Symbol to pick any character, Picture to use an image, or Font to change the bullet’s size and color.
- Click OK.
For color specifically, see how to change bullet color in Word, and for spacing, see how to decrease the space between a bullet and text.
End or remove a bulleted list
- End the list: Press Enter twice. The second Enter removes the empty bullet and returns you to normal text.
- Remove bullets: Select the items and click the Bullets button again to turn them off.
- Undo an automatic list: Press Ctrl + Z right after Word converts your text, and it changes back to the asterisk or hyphen you typed.
Tips for better bullet lists
- Keep items short and parallel, starting each with the same kind of word.
- Use numbered lists instead when the order matters, such as steps.
- Avoid more than two or three levels of sub-bullets, which get hard to read.
Related: How to format bullet points in Word.
Related: Underline text in Word.
Related: Show the Navigation Pane in Word.
Related: Remove bullet points in Word.
Related: Create a multilevel list in Word.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my bullet list keep changing style?
Word may be applying a list style from your template or copying formatting from pasted text. Select the list and choose your preferred bullet from the Bullet Library to reset it.
How do I add bullets in Word on a phone?
In the Word mobile app, tap the A with a pencil icon to open the formatting menu, then tap the Bullets button.
Can I put two bullet points on one line?
Yes. Insert bullet symbols with Alt + 0149 or use a table. See how to put multiple bullet points on one line.
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.