Whenever you have more than two items to describe in your document, consider using one of Word 2016’s automatic list-formatting commands to make a bulleted list or a numbered list. In typesetting, a bullet is a graphical element, such as a ball or a dot, which highlights items in a list. To make a already written line to a bullet list select the line and then choose you prefered bullet list. The bullet will alwas be at the beginning of a paragraph. If you need to ad a bullet in the middle of a text line you write it, Option/Alt + Q it is on my Swedish keyboard.
Doug,
Thank you for the idea!
I'm not quite sure it helps my very odd situation, though. I'm creating a template that is going to be used by instructional designers at our company. I need the bullets to basically 'just work' for the people using the template. A lot of them aren't all that familiar with Word and the more advanced uses of it. I don't know that they'd be okay with using a field every time they want to use one of these bullets. Plus, I'm not positive that it would be read correctly by the screen reader, either. I will definitely test it out tomorrow with the software, though, and see if it would be an easy instruction to give to the writers using the template.
We can't use a table because this document needs to be read by a screen reader. Unfortunately, sometimes when images are inserted, they do not read correctly when put into a PDF format later. This doesn't happen (generally) when using Adobe Acrobat Professional to convert files; but, unfortunately, we are being forced to use other software to convert the file. The images all 'group' together in the eyes of the screen reader and are read at the beginning of the document instead of the place where they should be read in the document. So, the document does not read as it is visually viewed on the screen. This is a case where we have to work within the confines of what we are allowed to use.
Thank you for the idea!
I'm not quite sure it helps my very odd situation, though. I'm creating a template that is going to be used by instructional designers at our company. I need the bullets to basically 'just work' for the people using the template. A lot of them aren't all that familiar with Word and the more advanced uses of it. I don't know that they'd be okay with using a field every time they want to use one of these bullets. Plus, I'm not positive that it would be read correctly by the screen reader, either. I will definitely test it out tomorrow with the software, though, and see if it would be an easy instruction to give to the writers using the template.
We can't use a table because this document needs to be read by a screen reader. Unfortunately, sometimes when images are inserted, they do not read correctly when put into a PDF format later. This doesn't happen (generally) when using Adobe Acrobat Professional to convert files; but, unfortunately, we are being forced to use other software to convert the file. The images all 'group' together in the eyes of the screen reader and are read at the beginning of the document instead of the place where they should be read in the document. So, the document does not read as it is visually viewed on the screen. This is a case where we have to work within the confines of what we are allowed to use.
Microsoft Word hides tons of customization options under its simple interface, and you often have to dig a bit to use it at its full potential. For example, normally you just see a few bullet styles for creating a bullet list, but did you know that you can access thousands of styles or even create interactive checkboxes to customize your bullet list? Furthermore, you are also able to add custom pictures from your local storage to make your bullet list even more attractive.
You can use your company’s logo, a custom pointer or even your own photo as bullets. Whatever your intentions are, if you are looking to customize your bullet lists with custom pictures, then we are here to help. Today we will show you two methods to add pictures as bullets.
1. Define a New Bullet
You can use Word’s “Define New Bullet” option to add a new bullet in your bullet library. The newly created bullet will be added in your list of bullets that can be accessed anytime using the same bullet list drop-down menu. Here is how to add it.
Click on the upside down arrow next to the bullet list button to open “Bullet Library.” Here you will see all the bullet styles that are in your library. Below it you will find the option of “Define New Bullet…” Click on it.
A new dialog will open up. Here click on “Picture,” and you will see lots of colorful bullets which you can use for free.
However, you are looking to add a custom picture, so you will need to click on the “Import…” button in the same dialog, and choose any picture from your local storage to add as a bullet.
You can choose more than one pictures if you want, and all of them will be added in the picture gallery. Now just select the one you want to use and click on “OK” to “Preview” it in the “Define New Bullet” dialog. Once you are comfortable with your choice, click on “OK” again to apply the bullet to your document.
You can start adding text next to the bullet and press “Enter” to move to the next line, and the same bullet will be applied.
Putting A Bullet In The Middle Of A Sentence
The custom bullet you just added will also be added to your Bullet library which you can access anytime you want.
2. Resize a Picture
How To Insert A Bullet In The Middle Of Text
If the above method seems a bit complicated or you want to quickly add a picture as a bullet, then the following method will help. If you manage to resize any picture in Word to the size of a bullet, then it will be automatically treated as a bullet. Let’s see how we can do that.
Note: Although this method is faster, it will not add the used picture to your bullet library. Once you are done with the document, you will not be able to find that custom bullet in Word. This method is only good when you are not planning to use the same custom bullet again.
Take any picture in your document, or upload a picture in your document using the “Picture” option inside the “Insert” tab. Now, click on the picture to enable the resize option, grab the picture from any of the four corners, and drag it diagonally to the other side to size it down.
Try to reduce its size to as close to a bullet as possible, but don’t worry; you don’t need to be exact about the size, as Word will automatically resize it to a bullet size when you press “Enter.”
Once resized, click next to the picture to add text, and press “Enter” when you are done to automatically create a bullet list.
Conclusion
Both of the methods mentioned above can be handy in different situations. If you want a custom bullet that you would like to use in the future as well, then the first method will be a good choice. However, if you just want to quickly add a picture as a bullet, then the second method will work great. Let us know in the comments if you know any other cool Word bullet list tricks.