What shortcut decreases the bullet level?

Multilevel bulleted or numbered lists can be applied to selected text at any time. The following steps will use the example of creating a test question. In such a case, you can type the questions and answers for the test without numbering or indenting them. After you have finished typing, you can apply the multilevel list numbering.

1. Select the text you want to apply multilevel numbering to
   EXAMPLE: Select the text of the test questions and answers.

2. From the Format menu, select Bullets and Numbering...
   The Bullets and Numbering dialog box appears.
   

   
   
   

3. Select the Outline Numbered tab

4. Select the desired outline option
   EXAMPLE: Select the option that starts with numbers and uses lower case letters for the next level.
   
   NOTES:
   The bullets or numbers are applied to your selected text.
   At this point all text is assigned the first level character. In the case of our example, all text is numbered.
   

5. Continue with Promoting and Demoting Text

Promoting and Demoting Text

You can promote and demote lines of text to adjust your list. Promoting a line of text moves it to the left (up a level); demoting text moves it to the right (down a level). These steps continue with the example of a test question.

1. Select the text to be promoted or demoted
   EXAMPLE: Select the answers beneath a question.

2. To demote, from the Formatting Palette, in the Bullets and Numbering toolbar,
   click INCREASE INDENT

   
   
   Text is demoted to the next level of the outline.
   EXAMPLE: Click INCREASE INDENT
   In this example, the answers are now lettered beneath the numbered question.

3. To promote, from the Formatting Palette, in the Bullets and Numbering toolbar,
   click DECREASE INDENT

   
   
   Text is promoted to the next level of the outline.

Applying Outline Numbering as You Type

You can select the type of outline numbered list you want to use prior to typing any list items. The following steps will use the example of creating an outline.

1. Place the insertion point where the list is to begin

2. From the Format menu, select Bullets and Numbering...
   The Bullets and Numbering dialog box appears.
   

   
   
   

3. Select the Outline Numbered tab

4. Select the desired list option
   EXAMPLE: Select the option that starts with Roman numerals and uses capital letters for the next level.

5. Type the text for the first list item
   EXAMPLE: Type Biology Studies
   
   NOTES:
   Word will automatically number or bullet your headings accordingly.
   In this example, the first item will be numbered I.
   

6. To add a subpoint under this first item, continue with Promoting and Demoting Text

Promoting and Demoting Text

You can promote and demote lines of text to adjust your list. Promoting a line of text moves it to the left (up a level); demoting text moves it to the right (down a level). These steps continue with the example of an outline.

1. To demote, from the Formatting Palette, in the Bullets and Numbering section, click INCREASE INDENT

   
   
   EXAMPLE: Click INCREASE INDENT

2. Type the text for this subpoint/level
   EXAMPLE: Type Animal
   
   NOTES:
   Text is positioned in the next level of the outline.
   In this example, this item is lettered A
   

3. To promote, from the Formatting Palette, in the Bullets and Numbering section, click DECREASE INDENT

   
   
   Text will be positioned in the next level of the outline.

4. To end the outline, press [return]

Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are some helpful keyboard shortcuts to use when promoting/demoting the different levels and paragraphs of your outline.

HINT: To promote/demote levels, you can also click INCREASE INDENT

Other Helpful Hints

While forming your outline, special needs may arise. For example, you may want to renumber a list so it restarts at the number one at a given point. You may also want to include a non-numbered/lettered line, called a soft return, beneath a numbered/lettered item.