How to add bullet points in excel
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To add bullet points in Excel, you can use keyboard shortcuts, the Symbol dialog box, custom formatting, or formulas depending on your needs.
Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows: Press Alt + 7 on the numeric keypad to insert a standard bullet point (•). Press Alt + 9 for a hollow bullet (○).
Mac: Press Option + 8 to insert a bullet point (•).
Method 2: Using the Symbol Dialog Box
- Click the cell where you want the bullet point
- Navigate to Insert tab on the ribbon
- Click Symbol in the Symbols group
- Select the bullet character (•) from the list
- Click Insert
- Click Close
Mac: The Symbol option is located under Insert > Advanced Symbol > Symbols tab.
Method 3: Adding Bullets Within a Cell
- Double-click the cell to enter edit mode
- Type your first item of text
- Press Alt + Enter (Windows) or Control + Option + Return (Mac) to create a new line within the same cell
- Insert a bullet point using Alt + 7 (Windows) or Option + 8 (Mac)
- Type your next item
- Repeat steps 3-5 for additional items
Method 4: Using Custom Number Format
- Select the cells where you want bullet points
- Right-click and choose Format Cells
- Click the Number tab
- Select Custom from the Category list
- Type the following in the Type field: • @
- Click OK
This method adds a bullet point before any text you enter in the selected cells.
Method 5: Using a Formula
Enter this formula in a cell to combine a bullet point with text from another cell:
=CHAR(149)&" "&A1
Replace A1 with the cell reference containing your text. The CHAR(149) function generates a bullet point character.
Method 6: Copy and Paste
- Copy a bullet point from another source (• or this one)
- Paste it into your Excel cell
- Type your text after the bullet
Creating Bulleted Lists Across Multiple Cells
- Enter a bullet point in the first cell using any method above
- Type your text after the bullet
- Press Enter to move to the next cell
- Repeat the process for each list item
Using AutoCorrect for Automatic Bullets
- Go to File > Options (Windows) or Excel > Preferences (Mac)
- Click Proofing
- Click AutoCorrect Options
- In the Replace field, type a shortcut like "blt"
- In the With field, paste a bullet point (•)
- Click Add
- Click OK
Now typing "blt" followed by a space will automatically insert a bullet point.
Applying Bullets to Multiple Lines in One Cell
- Click the cell
- Press Alt + 7 (Windows) or Option + 8 (Mac) to add a bullet
- Type your first point
- Press Alt + Enter (Windows) or Control + Option + Return (Mac)
- Add another bullet and type the next point
- Repeat as needed
What Are the Different Bullet Styles Available?
Excel provides access to various bullet styles through the Symbol dialog box. Common bullet characters include:
- Standard bullet (•) - Character code 149
- Hollow bullet (○) - Character code 9
- Square bullet (■)
- Checkmark (✓)
- Arrow (→)
- Diamond (◆)
Access these through Insert > Symbol > Symbols tab, then browse the available characters in different fonts like Wingdings, Webdings, or Symbol.
How to Remove Bullet Points
- Select the cells containing bullets
- Press Ctrl + H (Windows) or Command + H (Mac) to open Find and Replace
- In the Find what field, enter the bullet character (copy and paste •)
- Leave the Replace with field empty
- Click Replace All
Alternative method: Clear custom formatting by selecting the cells, right-clicking, choosing Format Cells, selecting General under Number tab, and clicking OK.
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