Add a numbered list, bulleted list, or checklist

You can add and customize bulleted or numbered lists in Google Docs and Slides. You can also add checklists in Google Docs.

Add a list

  1. On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google Docs or Slides.
  2. Click a page or slide where you want to add a list.
  3. In the toolbar, choose a list type. If you can't find the option, click More More.
    • Numbered list Numbered list​
    • Bulleted list Bulleted list
    • Checklist  (Google Docs only)
  4. Optional:
    • To start a list inside a list, press Tab on your keyboard. The new list will be indented.
    • To go back to the main list, press Enter twice on your keyboard. 

Edit a list

You can change the bullet type, indents, prefixes, and suffixes of a list.

Change list type & color

Change list type

  1. On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google Docs or Slides.
  2. Click a number, bullet, or checkbox (Google Docs only).
  3. At the top, click Format and then Bullets & numbering.
  4. Choose a new bullet type:
    • List options: To make a custom bullet, click More bullets.
    • Numbered list
    • Bulleted list
    • Checklist: Create a checklist with or without strike-through.

Change list color

  1. On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google Docs or Slides.
  2. Click a number, bullet, or checkbox (Google Docs only).
  3. In the toolbar, click Text color Color text.
  4. Select a color.

Docs & Slides: Restart a numbered list

  1. On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google Docs or Slides.
  2. Double-click the first number.
  3. At the top, click Format and then Bullets & numbering.
  4. Select List options and then Restart numbering.
  5. Enter a new start number for your list.
  6. Click OK.

Docs: Continue a numbered list

  1. On your computer, open a document in Google Docs.
  2. Double-click the first number.
  3. At the top, click Format and then Bullets & numbering.
  4. Select List options and then Continue previous numbering.
  5. Click OK.

Change indents

Add a hanging indent

With a hanging indent, everything except the first line is indented.

Google Docs

  1. On your computer, open a document in Google Docs.
  2. Highlight the text you want to indent.
  3. In the menu at the top, click Format and then Align & indent and then Indentation options.
  4. Under "Special indent," choose "Hanging."
  5. Optional: In the box next to "Hanging," change the size of the indent.
  6. Click Apply.

Google Slides

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides.
  2. Highlight the text you want to indent.
  3. In the menu at the top, click Format and then Format options.
  4. At the right, click Text fitting.
  5. Under "Special indent," choose "Hanging."
  6. Optional: Under "By," change the size of the indent.

Add space around text in Google Slides

You can change the space between text and the edge of a text box on a slide.

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides.
  2. Highlight the text you want to change.
  3. In the menu at the top, click Format and then Format options.
  4. At the right, click Text fitting.
  5. Under "Padding," make your changes.

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

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