Excel Bullet Point Shortcut: How to Create Bulleted Lists Quickly

Understanding Excel Bullet Point Shortcut

If you are working with Excel and need to create a list, bullet points can be a great way to organize your information. Excel offers several ways to insert bullet points into your spreadsheet, including using keyboard shortcuts.

To insert a bullet point using a keyboard shortcut, simply select the cell where you want to insert the bullet point and press Alt + 7 on your numeric keypad. If you want to insert an empty bullet point, press Alt + 9 instead. If you do not have a numeric keypad on your keyboard, you can activate the NumLock first and then repeat the above steps, or try with Alt + Function + 7.

Once you have inserted a bullet point, you can copy it to adjacent cells by dragging the fill handle. You can also customize your bullet points by using different symbols or formatting options.

Excel also offers several other keyboard shortcuts that can help you navigate your spreadsheet more efficiently. For example, you can use Ctrl + Arrow key to move to the next non-blank cell in the same column or row as the active cell. You can use End + Arrow key to move to the last cell on a worksheet, or Ctrl + End to move to the last cell in the worksheet.

In addition to keyboard shortcuts, there are several other ways to insert bullet points in Excel, including using the Insert tab in the Ribbon or using the Symbol dialog box. However, keyboard shortcuts can be a quick and efficient way to insert bullet points and navigate your spreadsheet.

Overall, understanding Excel bullet point shortcuts can help you work more efficiently and organize your information effectively. By using keyboard shortcuts and other formatting options, you can create professional-looking spreadsheets that are easy to read and understand.

Accessing Bullet Points in Excel

When creating a list in Excel, bullet points can be an effective way to make it more visually appealing and easier to read. Luckily, there are several ways to access bullet points in Excel, depending on your preference and the situation.

Using the Symbol Dialog Box

One way to insert bullet points in Excel is through the Symbol dialog box. To access this dialog box, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the bullet point.
  2. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
  3. Click on the Symbol button in the Symbols group.
  4. In the Symbol dialog box, select the desired bullet point symbol.
  5. Click on the Insert button to insert the symbol into the cell.

Utilizing Character Code Box

Another way to insert bullet points in Excel is through the Character Code box. To access this box, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the bullet point.
  2. Press the Alt key and type the character code for the desired bullet point symbol using the numeric keypad.
  3. Release the Alt key to insert the symbol into the cell.

Through Custom Number Format

You can also use custom number format to insert bullet points in Excel. To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the bullet point.
  2. Right-click on the cell and select Format Cells.
  3. In the Format Cells dialog box, select Custom from the Category list.
  4. In the Type box, enter the following code: “*”
  5. Click on the OK button to apply the custom number format to the cell.

Applying Special Fonts

Finally, you can apply special fonts to insert bullet points in Excel. To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the bullet point.
  2. Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
  3. Click on the Fonts drop-down menu and select a special font that contains bullet point symbols.
  4. Type the letter or number that corresponds to the desired symbol to insert it into the cell.

By using any of the methods described above, you can easily insert bullet points in Excel and make your lists more visually appealing.

Bullet Point Techniques

When working with Excel, bullet points can be a useful way to organize and present information. There are several techniques you can use to create bullet points in Excel quickly and efficiently.

Copy and Paste Method

One of the easiest ways to create bullet points in Excel is to use the copy and paste method. Simply copy a bullet point from another source, such as a Word document, and paste it into the Excel cell where you want the bullet point to appear. You can then type your text next to the bullet point.

Using Format Painter

Another way to create bullet points in Excel is to use the Format Painter tool. First, create a cell with a bullet point by either copying and pasting or using the Alt + 7 shortcut (more on that later). Then, select the cell with the bullet point and click the Format Painter button on the Home tab. Finally, click and drag the Format Painter over the cells where you want to apply the bullet point formatting.

Applying Alt + 7 Shortcut

The Alt + 7 shortcut is a quick and easy way to insert a bullet point in Excel. Simply select the cell where you want the bullet point to appear and press Alt + 7 on your keyboard. You can then type your text next to the bullet point.

Employing Ctrl + Shift + L Shortcut

Another shortcut you can use to create bullet points in Excel is Ctrl + Shift + L. This shortcut will add a bullet point to the current cell and automatically move the cursor to the next line, allowing you to quickly create a bulleted list.

In addition to these techniques, you can also use the Paste Special command to apply bullet point formatting to cells. To do this, first create a cell with a bullet point, then copy it. Next, select the cells where you want to apply the bullet point formatting, right-click, and select Paste Special. In the Paste Special dialog box, select Formats and click OK.

By using these techniques, you can quickly and efficiently create bullet points in Excel to present your information in a clear and organized way.

Creating Custom Bulleted Lists

If you want to create a custom bulleted list in Excel, there are several ways to do it. Here are a few methods you can use to create custom bulleted lists in Excel:

Using SmartArt

One way to create a custom bulleted list in Excel is to use SmartArt. SmartArt is a feature in Excel that allows you to create professional-looking diagrams and charts. To create a custom bulleted list using SmartArt, follow these steps:

  1. Select the cell where you want to add the bulleted list.
  2. Click on the “Insert” tab in the Excel ribbon.
  3. Click on the “SmartArt” button in the “Illustrations” group.
  4. Select the “List” category in the SmartArt gallery.
  5. Choose the SmartArt layout that best fits your needs.
  6. Type your list items into the SmartArt shapes.

Applying Wingdings or Webdings

Another way to create a custom bulleted list in Excel is to use Wingdings or Webdings. These are special fonts that contain a variety of symbols, including bullet points. To create a custom bulleted list using Wingdings or Webdings, follow these steps:

  1. Select the cell where you want to add the bulleted list.
  2. Click on the “Home” tab in the Excel ribbon.
  3. Click on the “Font” dropdown in the “Font” group.
  4. Select either the “Wingdings” or “Webdings” font.
  5. Type the letter “l” (lowercase L) to insert a solid bullet point or type the letter “o” to insert a hollow bullet point.
  6. Press the “Enter” key to move to the next line and repeat the process for each list item.

Utilizing Excel Formulas

You can also create a custom bulleted list in Excel using formulas. To do this, you will need to use the CHAR function, which allows you to insert special characters into a cell. Here’s how to create a custom bulleted list using Excel formulas:

  1. Select the cell where you want to add the bulleted list.
  2. Type “=CHAR(149)” to insert a solid bullet point or “=CHAR(183)” to insert a hollow bullet point.
  3. Press the “Enter” key to move to the next line and repeat the process for each list item.

By using these methods, you can create custom bulleted lists in Excel that are tailored to your specific needs. Whether you prefer to use SmartArt, Wingdings or Webdings, or Excel formulas, there are plenty of options available to help you create the perfect bulleted list for your project.

Advanced Bullet Point Techniques

If you’re looking to take your Excel bullet point game to the next level, there are a few advanced techniques you can use to manage non-adjacent cells, work with separate columns, and apply different bullet styles.

Managing Non-Adjacent Cells

Sometimes you need to apply bullet points to non-adjacent cells. To do this, select the first cell and hold down the Ctrl key while selecting the other cells you want to apply the bullet points to. Once you have all the cells selected, use the keyboard shortcut Alt + 7 or Alt + 9 to insert a bullet point.

Working with Separate Columns

If you need to apply bullet points to cells in separate columns, you can use the “Format Painter” tool. First, select the cell with the bullet point you want to copy. Then, click the “Format Painter” button on the Home tab of the ribbon. Finally, click on the cell you want to apply the bullet point to. You can repeat this process for multiple cells in different columns.

Applying Different Bullet Styles

Excel offers several different bullet styles to choose from, including solid bullets, hollow bullets, and empty bullets. To change the bullet style, select the cell or cells you want to apply the bullet point to and right-click on them. From the context menu, select “Bullets” and choose the style you want to use.

You can also apply multiple bullet points to a single cell by clicking on the “Bullets” drop-down menu and selecting “Define New Bullet”. From there, you can choose a custom symbol or image to use as a bullet point.

Overall, these advanced bullet point techniques can help you save time and create more visually appealing spreadsheets in Excel.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Adjusting Font Size

When working with bullet points in Excel, you may want to adjust the font size to make the text more readable. To do this, simply select the cells containing the bullet points and use the font size dropdown in the Home tab to change the size of the text. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + > to increase the font size or Ctrl + Shift + < to decrease it.

Using Format Cells Dialog Box

Another way to adjust the font size and other formatting options for bullet points is to use the Format Cells dialog box. To access this, right-click on the selected cells and choose Format Cells. From here, you can adjust the font size, style, and color, as well as other formatting options like borders and alignment.

Entering Edit Mode

If you need to add or edit bullet points within a cell, you can enter Edit mode by double-clicking on the cell or pressing F2 on your keyboard. This will allow you to move the cursor within the cell and add or edit text as needed. To exit Edit mode, simply press Enter or Esc on your keyboard.

Some additional tips to keep in mind when working with bullet points in Excel:

  • Use the Tab key to indent bullet points and create sub-bullet points.
  • Use the Ctrl + 1 keyboard shortcut to quickly access the Format Cells dialog box.
  • If you have a lot of bullet points to enter, consider copying and pasting them from another source like a Word document or PowerPoint presentation.
  • Use the Notes feature in Excel to add additional information or context to your bullet points without cluttering up the main spreadsheet. Simply right-click on a cell and choose Insert Note to add a note to that cell.

By following these tips and tricks, you can make working with bullet points in Excel easier and more efficient.

Bullet Points in Other Microsoft Applications

Bullet points are a useful tool for organizing information in a clear and concise manner. While we have already discussed how to insert bullet points in Excel, it is also important to know how to use them in other Microsoft applications such as Word and PowerPoint.

Bullet Points in Word

Microsoft Word is a powerful word processor that allows you to create professional-looking documents. To insert bullet points in a Word document, follow these simple steps:

  1. Place your cursor where you want to insert the bullet point.
  2. Click on the “Home” tab in the ribbon.
  3. Click the “Bullet” button in the “Paragraph” group.
  4. Type your first bullet point and press “Enter” to create a new bullet point.

You can also customize the appearance of your bullet points by selecting a different bullet style or color. To do this, click on the small arrow next to the “Bullet” button and choose the desired option.

Bullet Points in PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a popular presentation software that allows you to create dynamic and engaging slideshows. To insert bullet points in a PowerPoint slide, follow these simple steps:

  1. Click on the text box where you want to insert the bullet point.
  2. Click on the “Home” tab in the ribbon.
  3. Click the “Bullets” button in the “Paragraph” group.
  4. Type your first bullet point and press “Enter” to create a new bullet point.

You can also customize the appearance of your bullet points by selecting a different bullet style or color. To do this, click on the small arrow next to the “Bullets” button and choose the desired option.

In addition to inserting bullet points, you can also use PowerPoint’s SmartArt feature to create visually appealing diagrams and charts. To access this feature, click on the “Insert” tab in the ribbon and choose “SmartArt.”

In conclusion, knowing how to use bullet points in Word and PowerPoint can help you create professional-looking documents and presentations. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily insert and customize bullet points to suit your needs.

Authors

  • James Davis

    Tech geek, excel super-user, software guru, and your go-to guy for all things digital. James has spent over a decade diving deep into the latest software and gadgets, making tech jargon easy for the rest of us. When he's not geeking out over the newest release, he's probably hunting for some new Excel tips as James spent 7 years perfecting his excel skills!

  • Robert Miller

    Meet Robert James Miller, the meticulous editor at CostOfIncome, where precision meets passion. While his editorial skills have consistently elevated the platform's content, it's his profound expertise in Excel that sets him apart. Robert doesn't just know Excel; he commands it, transforming complex data into insightful narratives. His depth of understanding has not only aided in streamlining operations at CostOfIncome but has also positioned him as the go-to guru for all things Excel-related.

  • Collin Bennett

    eagle-eyed fact-checker at the heart of every post's accuracy. In an age where information is abundant and mistakes are costly, Samuel stands as the gatekeeper of truth for all Excel-related content. His meticulous approach ensures that every formula, every function, and every data-driven insight is both precise and verifiable.

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