Change bullet indents in Word

Applies To
Word for Microsoft 365 Word 2024 Word 2021 Word 2019 Word 2016

Changing the position of the bullets in a list, or the spacing between the bullets and text involves fine-tuning the bullet indents. Here's how:

  1. Select the bullets in the list by clicking a bullet. The text won't appear selected.
    Bullets selected

  2. Right-click, and then select Adjust List Indents.

  3. Change the distance of the bullet indent from the margin by selecting the arrows in the Bullet position box or change the distance between the bullet and the text by selecting the arrows in the Text indent box.
    In the Follow number with drop-down box, select from Tab character, Space, or Nothing.

    Screenshot of the Adjust List Indents dialog box where you can specify settings for bullet position and text indent. You can also select what you want to follow a number with and specify where to add a tab stop.

  4. Finish making your adjustments, and then select OK.

Change the indent for one bullet

  1. Click next to the text for the bullet you want to change.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, select the arrow next to Multilevel List, and then select Change List Level.
  3. Select the level where you want the bullet. Each level has a different bullet style.

Adjust line spacing between bullets in a list

Change the color, size, or format of bullets or numbers in a list