changing bulleting defaults

[Peter]

Using Word 2003, I would like to customize the default behavior of a
bulleted list when I increase or decrease my indentation level by
hitting tab or backspace. That is, I'd like to choose the characters
that automatically appear at the default levels 2, 3, & etc. when I'm
doing a bulleted list. Is that possible? I've looked everywhere and
while I can find plenty on how to change the behavior of a given
customized list, I can't find a thing on changing the base defaults.

Thanks.

 

[Jezebel]

The trick is to use Outline Numbering. For list purposes, bullets are a type
of number. On the Bullets and Numbering dialog, select Outline Numbering,
select any option from the gallery other than 'none', then click Customize.
In the 'Number Style' drop down, select one of the existing bullets (if any)
or select New Bullet, then set the font, size, color, etc. Repeat for each
level of indent that you need.

You can also click More on that dialog, then associate each level with a
specific style.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

For more on this, see
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/bullets/controlbullets.html

 

[Peter]

For more on this, see
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/bullets/controlbullets.html

Thanks much. I have attempted to follow the directions, including
linking each of my newly-created bullets to a style, e.g. List Bullet 2,
3, etc. Unfortunately these new bullet styles do not appear in the
Styles and Formatting sidebar, nor are they used when I hit
CTRL-SHIFT-L. If I highlight a piece of text, then Format -> Bullets and
Numbering -> Outline Numbered it, it will pick up my new styles, but not
otherwise. Am I missing a step here? I would like my new styles to be
the defaults for all new documents...

Thanks again,

Peter

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

If you want your styles to be available to new documents, you must check the
"Add to template" box in the Format | Style dialog for each bulleted style.

By default, the Styles and Formatting task pane shows the styles in use. You
can change this (see
http://www.ShaunaKelly.com/word/sfpane/StylesAndFormattingPane.html), or you
can set Word so that when you press Enter and Tab after a List Bullet
paragraph, you will get a List Bullet 2 paragraph: on the AutoFormat As You
Type tab of Tools | AutoCorrect Options, check the box for "Set left- and
first-indent with tabs and backspaces." You will then be able to use Tab and
Shift+Tab (not Backspace) to demote and promote outline numbered/bulleted
styles.