Discover how to adjust bullet point spacing in Microsoft Word with the two key settings to achieve precise bullet point alignment and formatting. Learning the techniques to perfect your bullet points can make a significant difference in readability and presentation.
There are TWO places to change the position of the bullet in relation to the text. The hanging indent and the bullet or numbered list alignment setting.
Let’s start with a standard bullet list from the Home | Paragraph drop down list.
Here’s an ‘out of the box’ bullet list from Word:
Turn on the Ruler to see the useful indicators that show the position of the bullet point and following text.
Change First Line or Hanging Indent
To change the distance between the bullet or numbered point and text, drag the First Line Indent marker to the place you want.
Simple as that! Drag the larger tab indicator to move the whole bullet line along the page, the First Line Indent will move with it.
Another way to do the same thing is from Home | Paragraph settings and change the Special | Hanging Indent space.
This is also the way to tweak a style which saves your preferred bullet point settings.
Bullet / Numbered Point Alignment
There’s a second, lesser known and more subtle setting, the Bullet/Numbered Point Alignment.
Select some bullet points then go to Home | Paragraph | Bullets | Define New Bullet. Despite the words ‘Define New”, use this to change an existing bullet setting.
The difference between alignments (Left, Center or Right) can be almost unnoticeable with smaller text. Here’s a large text example with an indicator line for clarity.
Here’s how alignment works for numbered lists (Home | Paragraph | Numbering | Define New Number Format | Alignment)
Bullet / Numbered Point alignment is the position of the bullet relative to the hanging indent setting –the left (the default), center or right. In case you’re wondering, yes, the ‘left’ and ‘right’ settings do seem to be reversed!
Tip: if you want to just slightly move the bullet away from the text, change the Left alignment to Center or Right. That might be enough and easier than changing the Hanging Indent.
Make a style
Save your preferred bullet point settings in a style. Select a bullet list line formatted the way you want, then Home | Style Gallery | Create a Style.
The Hanging Indent setting is at Format | Paragraph.
Bullet alignment is at Format | Numbering | Bullets | Define New Bullet | Alignment.
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