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Bullets and numbering

  1. Illustrator User Guide
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    5. Create and combine shapes on the web
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    1. Introduction to Illustrator on the iPad
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    6. Type
      1. Work with type and fonts
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  5. Cloud documents
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      5. Illustrator cloud documents | Common questions
    2. Troubleshooting
      1. Troubleshoot create or save issues for Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Troubleshoot Illustrator cloud documents issues
  6. Add and edit content
    1. Drawing
      1. Drawing basics
      2. Edit paths
      3. Draw pixel-perfect art
      4. Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil tool
      5. Draw simple lines and shapes
      6. Draw rectangular and polar grids
      7. Draw and edit flares
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      10. Symbolism tools and symbol sets
      11. Adjust path segments
      12. Design a flower in 5 easy steps
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      14. Draw and modify objects on a perspective grid
      15. Use objects as symbols for repeat use
      16. Draw pixel-aligned paths for web workflows
    2. Measurement
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      1. About 3D effects in Illustrator
      2. Create 3D graphics
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      4. Create 3D Text
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      14. Live shapes
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    8. Type
      1. Add text and work with type objects
      2. Reflow Viewer
      3. Create bulleted and numbered lists
      4. Manage text area
      5. Fonts and typography
      6. Convert text within images into editable text
      7. Add basic formatting to text
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      9. Import and export text
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      17. Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
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      23. Format Asian characters
      24. Composers for Asian scripts
      25. Create text designs with blend objects
      26. Create a text poster using Image Trace
    9. Create special effects
      1. Work with effects
      2. Graphic styles
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      4. Create sketches and mosaics
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      6. Summary of effects
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      2. Graphs
      3. SVG
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    2. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator 
      1. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
    3. Save and export
      1. Save artwork
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      3. Create Adobe PDF files
      4. Adobe PDF options
      5. Use Illustrator artwork in Photoshop
      6. Collect assets and export in batches
      7. Package files
      8. Extract CSS | Illustrator CC
      9. Document info panel
  8. Printing
    1. Prepare for printing
      1. Set up documents for printing
      2. Change the page size and orientation
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      4. Get started with large canvas
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      1. Overprint
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      4. Print presets
      5. Printer's marks and bleeds
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      9. Print gradients, meshes, and color blends
      10. White Overprint
  9. Automate tasks
    1. Data merge using the Variables panel
    2. Automation with scripts
    3. Automation with actions
  10. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash issues
    4. Recover files after crash
    5. Safe mode
    6. File issues
    7. Supported file formats
    8. GPU device driver issues
    9. Wacom device issues
    10. DLL file issues
    11. Memory issues
    12. Preferences file issues
    13. Font issues
    14. Printer issues
    15. Share crash report with Adobe
    16. Improve Illustrator performance

Learn how to create, format, and preview bulleted and numbered lists.

In bulleted lists, each paragraph begins with a bullet character. In numbered lists, each paragraph begins with an expression that includes a number or letter and a separator such as a period or a parenthesis. Both lists help your users identify the key points in the text in ordered and unordered forms. 

Adobe Illustrator deeplink

Try it in the app
Create bulleted lists in a few simple steps.

Create bulleted or numbered lists

Follow the steps below to start applying numbered and ordered lists to the text. 

  1. Select the set of paragraphs that will become the list, or click to place the insertion point where you want the list to begin.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • Click the bulleted list button or the numbered list button in the Control panel (Windows > Control).
    • Click the more options    icon in the Paragraph section of the Properties panel and click the Bulleted List button or the Numbered List button.
    • Select the text and right-click. Choose Bulleted and Numbered Lists and apply numbers or bullets.
    • Use the type context menu to click and apply lists. 
    List properties in Paragraph panel
    List properties in Paragraph panel

    Illustrator uses auto-detection of lists when you press any sequence of list using keyboard like 1. or 1) or A. or A).

  3. To continue the list in the next paragraph, move the insertion point to the end of the list and press Enter or Return.

Customize bullets

You can create custom bullets by using keyboard as follows: 

  • * <space>
  • # <space>
  • > <space>
  • + <space>

Use presets and preview 

Apart from the default types of bullets and numbers, you can also use some of the presets available in the panel. As shown in the Bullets and Numbering dialog, click the preset button and preview the effect instantly in the text. 

Bulleted list presets
Presets available for bulleted lists

Presets for numbers
Presets available for numbered lists

Format the lists

Use Left Indent, and First Line Indent options to indent the text by changing the points. You can also use keyboard shortcuts such as tab or shift + tab to move to the next or previous levels. 

Create multi-level lists

A multi-level list is a list that describes hierarchical relationships between the list paragraphs. These lists are also called outline lists because they resemble outlines. The list’s numbering scheme and indentations show rank as well as how items are subordinate to one another. You can tell where each paragraph fits in the list regarding paragraphs before and after it.

You can use the Level option in Bullets and Numbering dialog to change up to nine levels. 

Convert bullets and numbering to text

  1. Select the paragraph containing the bulleted or numbered list.

  2. Select Type > Bullets and Numbering > Convert to text.

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