The automatic numbering and bulleting features in Microsoft Word can be absolutely maddening. You’ll be happily typing along, making your document look exactly how you like, then suddenly Word decides to unexpectedly add a number or bullet to what you’re writing.
I appreciate the software trying to make things easier for me, but most of the time, it guesses wrong. Fortunately, this feature can be turned off. Disable the feature in Word that automatically starts entering numbered or bulleted text for you.
Word 2016, 2013 & 2010
- Select the “File” menu.
- Select “Options“.
- Select the “Proofing” tab on the left pane.
- Select “AutoCorrect Options…“.
- Select the “AutoFormat As You Type” tab.
- Uncheck the “Automatic bulleted lists” and “Automatic numbered lists” options. Click “OK“.
Word 2007
- From the “Office Button” menu, select “Word Options“.
- Click “Proofing“.
- Click “AutoCorrect Options“, and then click the “AutoFormat As You Type” tab.
- Under “Apply as you type“, deselect “Automatic bulleted lists” and “Automatic numbered lists“.
- Click “OK” and you’re done.
Now no more annoying automatic bullets or numbers appearing when you type.
Johnny says
In addition to what was recommended above, here’s what finally worked for me.
In Word Options, I chose Advanced and under Cut, copy, and paste, I set ‘Pasting between documents,’ ‘Pasting between documents when style definitions conflict,’ and ‘Pasting from other programs’ to ‘Keep Text Only.’
Johnny says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Susanna says
It fails at the first step because the Word 2016 on my Mac does not have “Options” under “File’.
TC says
If this did not work for you, I would suggest that you also look at the advanced area and ensure that auto-numbering is not on there as well. Word has always been a little tricky with auto number and bullets. It’s almost like easter egg hunting. :) I hope you get your formatting issues solved.
Molly Sharko says
I have a 2016 Mac lap top. I have been everywhere trying to turn off the bullets and the numbers.
If I open a recipe there are bullets and numbers. It is so irritating and if I print it out I have to get
rid of the bullets and numbers by deleting them one by one to print the recipe. Not happy with this system at all. I love the Mac otherwise.
Peter says
It did not work for me. I followed your instructions step by step. In addition to AutoFormat As You Type there is a AutoFormat tab where I unchecked Automatic bulleted list. I Did not work anyhow.
I do not like Microsoft.
FT says
Great tips! This has been irritating me for a long long time! Thanks so much!