Turn on or off automatic bullets or numbering in Word

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

By default, if you type an asterisk or 1., Word recognizes that you are trying to start a bulleted or numbered list. You can turn off the automatic list recognition feature.

  1. Go to File > Options > Proofing.
  2. Select AutoCorrect Options, and then select the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
  3. Select or clear Automatic bulleted lists or Automatic numbered lists.
  4. Select OK

See also

AutoFormat as you Type.