Select the Type tool from the Tools panel and select the set of paragraphs that will become the list, or place the insertion point where you want the list to start.
Last updated on
10 February 2026
Learn how to apply, customize, and format bulleted or numbered lists using the Properties panel, Control panel, or context menu.
In bulleted lists, each paragraph starts with a bullet character. In numbered lists, each paragraph starts with a number or letter followed by 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.
Do one of the following to create bulleted or numbered lists:
- Select Window > Control to open the Control panel, then select Bullets or the Numbered List option.
- Select the Paragraph More Options icon in the Paragraph section of the Properties panel and select the Bullets or the Numbered List option.
- Right-click the text and select Bullets and Numbering > Apply Bullets or Apply Numbers.
- Select Type > Bullets and Numbering > Apply Bullets or Apply Numbers.
- Select Window > Type > Paragraph to open the Paragraph panel, then select Bullets or Numbered List.
Note
Illustrator auto-detects lists when you type any sequence of lists using the keyboard, such as 1. or 1) or A. or A).
To continue the list in the next paragraph, move the insertion point to the end of the list and press Enter (Windows) or return (macOS).
To create custom bullets, use the following characters followed by a space:
- * <Space>
- # <Space>
- > <Space>
- + <Space>
To apply and preview the preset bullet and number types, select the dropdown next to the Bullets or Numbered List and select More Options. In the Bullets and Numbering dialog box, select the Bullets or Numbers tab, and then select the desired bullet character or number style to preview the effect in the text.
To format the lists, select the list and do any of the following in the Bullets and Numbering dialog box:
- To change the alignment of the lists, select a position from the Alignment dropdown menu.
- To move the entire paragraph from the left margin, change the point values in the Left Indent field.
- To move only the first line of the paragraph relative to the Left Indent, adjust the point values in the First Line Indent field.
Tip
Press Tab to indent and create a sublist, or Shift + Tab to decrease the indent level.
To create multi-level lists, select the text and adjust the Level option to change up to nine levels in the Bullets and Numbering dialog box.
To convert bullets and numbered lists to text, select the paragraph containing the bulleted or numbered list, and then select Type > Bullets and Numbering > Convert to text.
