The bullet shortcut key in Word is Ctrl + Shift + L, which turns the current paragraph into a bulleted list item. Press Enter for the next bullet, and Enter twice to end the list. Typing an asterisk followed by a space at the start of a line does the same thing automatically.
To type the bullet symbol • on its own, in any program, hold Alt and type 0149 on the number pad. In Excel, Alt + 7 on the number pad is a quicker way to put • in a cell.
Quick facts
Bulleted list
Ctrl + Shift + LBullet symbol
Alt + 0149Excel bullet
Alt + 7Indent a level
TabOutdent a level
Shift + TabMac •
Option + 8
Bullet shortcut key in different programs
| Program | Keys |
|---|---|
| Word | Ctrl + Shift + L |
| Word, by typing | Asterisk, then Space |
| PowerPoint | Alt, then H, then U |
| Excel cell | Alt + 7 or Alt + 0149, then a space |
| Online document editors | Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
| Any program, symbol only | Alt + 0149 |
In Word, Alt, then H, then U opens the bullet library, where you can choose a tick, arrow or square instead of the round dot.
Bullet levels and numbered lists
Inside a list, Tab at the start of an item pushes it one level in, with a different bullet style, and Shift + Tab brings it back out. Alt + Shift + Right and Alt + Shift + Left do the same from anywhere in the line. For a numbered list in Word, type 1. followed by a space, or use Alt, then H, then N. Numbered lists restart or continue through the right click menu if numbering goes wrong after a picture or table.
Bullet point shortcut key in Excel
- Double click the cell, or press F2, to edit it.
- Hold Alt and press 7 on the number pad, then release; • appears.
- Type a space and the text.
- For a new bullet in the same cell, press Alt + Enter for a line break and repeat.
To add bullets to many cells at once without typing them, use a custom number format: select the cells, press Ctrl + 1, choose Custom, and type • @ in the Type box. Each cell then shows a bullet before its text.
Bullets on laptops and Mac
Alt codes need a number pad. A laptop keyboard can still reach the sign through Win + ., which brings up the emoji panel and pick • from the symbols tab, or use Word's Ctrl + Shift + L, which needs no number pad. On a Mac, Option + 8 types • in any app, and Word for Mac uses Command + Shift + L for a bulleted list. More symbol methods are on symbol shortcut keys.
When bullets misbehave
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Bullets appear when not wanted | Press Ctrl + Z right after, or turn off automatic bulleted lists in AutoCorrect |
| Cannot remove a bullet | Press Backspace at the start of the item |
| Bullet and text too far apart | Right click, Adjust List Indents |
| Alt + 7 types nothing in Excel | Turn on Num Lock and use the number pad |
Frequently asked questions
What is the bullet shortcut key in Word?
How do I type a bullet symbol?
How do I add a bullet in Excel?
How do I make a sub bullet?
Press Tab at the start of the item.
How do I stop automatic bullets in Word?
Press Ctrl + Z right after, or turn it off in AutoCorrect options.