A multilevel list shows the list items at different levels rather than at one level.

outline numbered list

You can pick a multilevel list style from the gallery, or you can create a new multilevel list style.What do you want to do?

Choose a multilevel list style from the gallery

  1. Click where you want to begin your list.
  2. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to Multilevel List. word ribbon image
  3. Click a multilevel list style in the gallery of styles.
  4. Type your list. Press the TAB key or SHIFT+TAB to change levels.

Create a new multilevel list style to add to the gallery

If the multilevel list styles in the gallery aren't what you are looking for, you can create and define a new multilevel list style. You can use your new list style each time you begin a new multilevel list in a document. The new list style is added automatically to the gallery of list styles.

  1. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the arrow next to Multilevel List.

    word ribbon image

  2. Click Define New Multilevel List.

    Beginning with level 1, enter your number format, font, and position choices. Continue to define each level that you want to use in your multilevel list.

    Note When you define a multilevel list style, you can mix numbers and bullets in the same list. For example, in the Number style for this level box, you can scroll down and click a bullet style for a particular level.

  3. Click OK.

    The multilevel list style that you defined is automatically set as the current multilevel list style.

Note To move a multilevel item to a different numbering level, select the item, click the arrow next to Bullets or Numbering in the Paragraph group on the Home tab, point to Change List Level, and then click the list level to which you want to move the list item.

Advance the numbering manually in a list

Certain numbered lists - for example, legal lists - require the ability to change a number manually and for Word to correctly change the numbers that follow. You can use the Set Numbering Value option to change a number manually while Word renumbers the list that follows.

  1. Right-click the number in the list that you want to change.
  2. Click Set Numbering Value and then do one of the following:
    • Click Start new list and change the value of the selected number in the Set value to box.
    • Click Continue from previous list, select the Advance value (skip numbers) check box, and then change the value of the selected number in the Set value to box that corresponds to the level of the number that you selected.