Bullets and Numbering in Microsoft PowerPoint

Bullets are symbols placed before items in a list. They make information easier to scan and understand.

Example: Parts of a computer

• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• CPU
• Printer

Use bullets when the order of the items is not important.

Numbering displays list items using numbers, letters, or other ordered markers. It is useful for instructions, procedures, and rankings.

Example: Steps to save a presentation

1. Click the File tab.
2. Select Save As if required.
3. Choose a location.
4. Enter a file name.
5. Click Save.

Use numbering when the sequence of items matters.

The Bullets and Numbering commands are available on the Home tab in the Paragraph group.

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation.
2. Select the slide containing the text.
3. Select the required paragraphs or place the cursor where the list should begin.
4. Open the Home tab.
5. Find the Paragraph group.
6. Choose Bullets or Numbering.

Follow these steps:

1. Open a slide with a text placeholder or text box.
2. Click inside the text area.
3. Open the Home tab.
4. Click the Bullets dropdown in the Paragraph group.
5. Choose a bullet style.
6. Type the first item and press Enter for the next item.
7. Press Enter twice to finish the list in many standard text-editing situations.

1. Select the text or click inside the text area.
2. Open the Home tab.
3. Find the Paragraph group.
4. Click the Numbering dropdown.
5. Choose a numbering style.
6. Enter each item on a separate line.

Example: Preparing a presentation

1. Plan the topic.
2. Prepare the content.
3. Design the slides.
4. Review the presentation.

PowerPoint provides different bullet symbols, depending on the version and available options.

1. Select the bulleted paragraphs.
2. Open the Home tab.
3. Click the arrow beside Bullets.
4. Select a different bullet symbol.

Common bullet styles include:

• Filled circle: ●
• Open circle: ○
• Square: ■
• Other available symbols

Choose a simple symbol that matches the presentation's overall design.

Some PowerPoint versions allow you to select a symbol from additional symbol options or use a picture as a bullet.

1. Select the list.
2. Open the Bullets dropdown.
3. Look for Bullets and Numbering or a similar option.
4. Choose a symbol or picture option, if available.
5. Apply the selected style.

Custom bullet options vary by PowerPoint version. Avoid decorative symbols that make the list difficult to read.

Numbering styles can include numbers, letters, and Roman numerals.

To change the style, select the numbered list, open the Numbering dropdown, and choose another available format.

For some numbered lists, you may want the numbering to begin at a value other than 1.

1. Select the numbered list.
2. Open the Numbering options.
3. Look for Set Numbering Value or a similar command.
4. Enter the required starting value if supported.
5. Apply the change.

For example, a list might begin at 5 instead of 1. The command's availability depends on the PowerPoint version and list context.

A multilevel list organizes information into main points and subpoints.

Example:

• Computer
  • Hardware
    • Keyboard
    • Monitor
  • Software
• Internet
  • Web browser
  • Search engine

How to create subpoints:

1. Create a bulleted or numbered list.
2. Place the cursor in the paragraph to indent.
3. Use Increase List Level or the relevant indent command.
4. Use Decrease List Level to return to the main level.

The Tab and Shift + Tab shortcuts may change list levels in some editing contexts. If they do not work as expected, use the list-level commands on the ribbon.

Indentation controls the distance between a bullet or number and the slide's text area.

1. Select the list paragraphs.
2. Open the Home tab.
3. Use Increase List Level or Decrease List Level, as appropriate.
4. Check the spacing between the marker and text.

Proper indentation makes main points and subpoints easier to distinguish.

You can combine list formatting with common text formatting options.

• Change the font size for readability.
• Use bold for important list items.
• Choose appropriate font colors.
• Adjust line spacing.
• Keep indentation consistent.

• Adding too many items to one slide.
• Using inconsistent bullet symbols.
• Mixing numbering styles without a clear reason.
• Using long sentences for every bullet.
• Making list text too small.
• Using inconsistent indentation.

Keep each list item concise and divide long content across multiple slides when necessary.

Complete the following activities in PowerPoint:

1. Create a presentation named Computer Fundamentals.
2. Add a slide titled Parts of a Computer.
3. Create a bulleted list of five computer components.
4. Change the bullet symbol.
5. Add another slide titled Steps to Start a Computer.
6. Create a numbered list of five steps.
7. Change the numbering style, if available.
8. Create a multilevel list of hardware and software.
9. Adjust indentation and font size.
10. Save the presentation as Bullets_Numbering_Practice.pptx.