How-To

How to Create and Edit Lists in Google Docs

By Ben Stockton

Published December 21, 2022

If you want to make your Google Docs document easier to read, you might want to use lists to help you. This guide explains how.

Creating and editing lists in Google Docs is a simple and effective way to improve the structure of your document. It allows you to organize your text in a way that makes it easier for your audience to read.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to lists in Google Docs. You can use numbered lists, bullet points, or mix and match. You can nest lists inside other lists to further break down the information.

If you want to know how to create and edit lists in Google Docs, follow the steps below.

How to Create a Numbered or Bulleted List in Google Docs

There are different types of lists you can create in Google Docs. Two of the most obvious options are numbered lists and bulleted lists.

To create a numbered or bulleted list in Google Docs:

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. In the document, place your blinking cursor where you want to place the list.
3. Select the text first if you want to change existing text to a bulleted or numbered list.
   
4. On the toolbar, select either the bulleted list or numbered list icons. This will apply the list type to your text or insert a new list for you to begin typing.
   
5. If you want to customize the type of bullets or numbers shown, click the down arrow icon next to either option.
6. Select a different formatting type from the drop-down to apply it to your list.
   
7. Once you’ve created your list, you can add to it by pressing the Enter key. Each new line will create a new line to the list.
   
8. If you want to escape this formatting and exit the list, press the Enter key again on a new line.

How to Create a Checklist in Google Docs

You can also create a checklist in Google Docs using this formatting style. Checklists in Google Docs are interactive, so you can click to enable or disable the checkbox on each line.

You might want to use checklists to create to-do lists, for example.

To create a checklist in Google Docs:

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. Place your blinking cursor in the document where you want to insert your checklist.
3. Select the text first if you want to convert existing text (or an existing list) into a checklist.
   
4. Next, click the checklist icon on the toolbar. This will insert a new checklist into your document or convert an existing one.
   
5. If you want to change the style of your checklist, press the down arrow icon next to the checklist icon.
6. Select a different type of checklist formatting in the pop-up menu to apply it to your list.
   
7. With the checklist inserted, click the checkbox next to each item to remove or apply the checkmark.
   
8. You can add new lines to the checklist by placing the blinking cursor on the final item and pressing Enter. To exit the list and return to normal formatting, press the Enter key a second time on a blank (final) item.

How to Create Multi-Level Lists in Google Docs

Thanks to indenting, you can create multi-level lists in Google Docs. These lists allow you to nest a new list inside an existing list using sub-points.

For example, you can mix and match your formatting by adding nested bullet points to a numbered list.

To create multi-level lists in Google Docs:

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. Locate an existing list and select it or place your blinking cursor in a position to create a new list.
3. If you’re creating a new list, select your list type by clicking the numbered list or bulleted list options on the toolbar.
4. Type out your list items on each new line.
   
5. To indent a list item (and create a multi-level list), place your blinking cursor at the start of the line and press the Tab button on your keyboard. The line will move inwards with a new bullet symbol or number type.
   
6. Alternatively, place your blinking cursor at the start of the line and click the increase indent icon or decrease indent icon on the toolbar.
   
7. To change how the multi-level lists appear, press the down arrow icon next to your list type and select one of the alternative formatting options.
   
8. You can use the indentation tools to add or remove nested lists from your main list. If you remove a nested list, place your blinking cursor on the same line and click the decrease indent icon until the list is in the same position as the other items in the main list.

Using Google Docs Effectively

Thanks to the steps above, you can quickly create and edit lists in Google Docs. This will allow you to break down your information into smaller sections that are easier to read and understand.

Want to format your Google Docs document even further? You could split your Google Docs document into two columns, allowing you to create a newsletter-style document. You can even create a book in Google Docs with chapters and formatting styles. For instance, you could add a border to each Google Docs page to make it stand out better.

If you’re sick of text-heavy documents, you can add a video to your Google Docs document.