Customizing numbered lists

Word 2016 2013 2010 2007 2003
If you need to customize an existing numbered list (see how to create a numbered list) or apply your specifications to the number format, use the Define New Number Format dialog box.

To create a custom numbering format, do the following:

   1.   On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, choose the Numbering button:

Define New Number Format in Word 365

   2.   In the Numbering list, click Define New Number Format... item to display the Define New Number Format dialog box:

Define New Number Format in Word 365

   3.   In the Define New Number Format dialog box:

  • The Number style list specifies the numbering style. Choices include Arabic numerals, uppercase and lowercase Roman numerals, uppercase and lowercase alphabet letters, and word series (1st, One, and First). You can also choose no numbers at all, killing the sequential numbering.

    For example:

    • The list with word series:
      List with word series in Word 365
    • The list with the leading zeros numbering:
      List with the leading zeros numbering in Word 365
    • The list with the local language alphabet symbols for numbering, in this example, Russian alphabet:
      List with language alphabet symbols in Word 365
  • The Font... button allows you to select the specific font or font attributes (such as bold, italic, and underline) and the point size for the numbers. A standard Font dialog box appears when you click this button.
  • The Number format list offers to type the characters that you want to come before each number (if needed).

    For example:

    • To create a numbering list with some text before or after numbering, type it as you like:
      List with some text in Word 365   or   List with some text in Word 365
    • If you want each number enclosed in parentheses, for example, parenthesis around the number in this box:
      List with parenthesis in Word 365

    Do not type over this number in this box! If you do so, even replacing it with another number, you will break the automatic numbering; each number in the list will be the same (looks like a standard bulleted list that uses a number as a bullet symbol).

  • In the Alignment list, choose the distance from the left, centered or right margin that Word places the number.

Note: More details are available in the Numbered lists section in the Work with bulleted, numbered and multi-level lists lesson of the Create basic documents free course.

See also this tip in French: Comment personnaliser une liste numérotée.

Please, disable AdBlock and reload the page to continue

Today, 30% of our visitors use Ad-Block to block ads.We understand your pain with ads, but without ads, we won't be able to provide you with free content soon. If you need our content for work or study, please support our efforts and disable AdBlock for our site. As you will see, we have a lot of helpful information to share.