Frequently Asked Question

When working in Office 2011 for Mac, you'll likely need to know how to create a multilevel numbered list in Word 2011. The easiest way is to start with a list that's been indented with tabs. In a multilevel numbered list, a number denotes each new item in the list. Indents invoke formatting rules for sub-numbering.

Follow these steps to create multilevel numbered lists in Word 2011 for Mac:

1. Type a simple list. Use the Tab key to indent the text in your list.
2. Select the list.
   You can use any sequence of small paragraphs in a document.
3. On the Ribbon’s Home tab, go to the Paragraph group and click the Numbered List button (the middle of the three bullet and number buttons).
   Word automatically senses you have a multilevel list and formats it.
   

To apply a new multilevel style, click anywhere in your list and choose the Multilevel List button. It's the button at the right of the group of three bullet and numbering buttons on the Ribbon. Clicking the button displays the Multilevel List gallery. Choose a multilevel style from Current List, List Library, or Lists in Current Documents.

You can create your own multilevel list formats. Choosing the Define New Multilevel Listoption on the Multilevel style palette displays the Customize Outline Numbered List dialog, which lets you customize multilevel lists and outline styles by level.

From the Level list, choose which indentation level you want to format.
In the Number Format area, choose from the following options:

• Enter a potential number candidate, such as a letter or number from your keyboard, in the text box.
• Choose a style from the Number Style pop-up menu.
• Use the Start At Spinner if you want the numbered list to start at a number other than 1 or letter a.
• Select a level from the Previous Level Number pop-up menu to bring the number format from the chosen level to the level you’re formatting.
• Click the Font button to display the Format Font dialog. Choosing this applies formatting to the level being formatted, not the Previous Level.

Under Number Position, you find these options:

• Choose Left, Centered, or Right from the pop-up menu to change the alignment.
• Use the Aligned At spinner control or type into the input box to set the number position alignment.

The Text Position area offers these goodies:

• Select the Add Tab Stop At check box to add a tab stop at the position you specify using the spinner control.
• Use the Indent At spinner control to set the bullet's indentation.

Clicking the Show/Hide More Options button exposes more options.