Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Changing the Types of Numbers in a Numbered List.

Changing the Types of Numbers in a Numbered List

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated April 30, 2016)

When you are working with numbered lists, Word uses Arabic numerals, by default, to number the items. This number is followed by a period. You can change the numbering scheme Word uses to number your lists. Any of the following numbering types can be selected:

Type Selection
Arabic 1, 2, 3, 4
Uppercase Roman I, II, III, IV
Lowercase Roman i, ii, iii, iv
Uppercase Alphabetic A, B, C, D
Lowercase Alphabetic a, b, c, d
Ordinals 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Word Numbers One, Two, Three, Four
Word Ordinals First, Second, Third, Fourth
Leading Zeroes 01, 02, 03, 04

You can also change the type of character that follows the numbered list number. It can be either a period (the default), a colon, or a right parenthesis. You can also specify that there should be no character following the number. To change the numbering type and the character following the number, follow these steps:

  1. Select the paragraphs you want included in your numbered list.
  2. Choose Bullets and Numbering from the Format menu. You will see the Bullets and Numbering dialog box.
  3. Make sure the Numbered tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. The Numbered tab of the Bullets and Numbering dialog box.

  4. Choose one of the eight preset numbering formats. You should pick one that most closely resembles the type of numbering you wish to do.
  5. Click on the Customize button. The Customize Numbered List dialog box appears. (See Figure 2.)

    6. Figure 2. The Customize Numbered List dialog box.

  6. In the Number Style drop-down list, select a numbering format.
  7. In the Number Format box, add any other text you want besides the actual number.
  8. Choose a starting number for your list in the Start At field.
  9. Modify the position of the number and the text, if desired.
  10. Click on OK to close the Customize Numbered List dialog box.
  11. Click on OK to close the Bullets and Numbering dialog box.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1078) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Changing the Types of Numbers in a Numbered List.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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