Typing '* ' (i.e. asterick followed by space) produces a bullet.

[Ken]

How can you alter this default behavior?

 

[Ken]

Turn on or off automatic bullets or numbering

Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Word Options.
Click Proofing.
Click AutoCorrect Options, and then click the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
Under Apply as you type, select or clear the Automatic bulleted lists check
box or the Automatic numbered lists check box.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Tools | AutoCorrect Options | AutoFormat As You Type: Automatic bulleted
lists. See also http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/TameAutoFormat.htm