Changing default indents for lists (Word 2007)

[Nebulous]

In previous versions of Word this was relatively easy. I'm pretty adept with
Office products, but as far as I can see this is no longer possible. Can
someone confirm or enlighten me?

I don't like the indents that Word 2007 imposes on bulleted and numbered
lists -- it wastes a lt of space and for me is difficult to visually scan. I
prefer my first levels of bullets (or numbers) to appear so that the bullet
is lined up with the left margin with a hanging indent of 0.25". Then I like
the second level of bullets to be at 0.25" with a hanging indent of 0.5",
etc.

Harder to describe than I thought. It would look like this (unless this
support forum removes my extra spaces; then it might look like a mess):

-----------------
This is my regular paragraph text.
* Here's my first-level bulleted text
- Here's my second-level bulleted text

Here's my third-level bulleted text

-----------------

I continually have to adjust each bullet level, because I can't seem to
figure out a way to tell Word that I want this system as my default.

Further frustrating is the fact that even in a particular document, when I
adjust the indents in one list and then create another list further down the
document, the second and future levels revert. I have to adjust them again.

It doesn't seem Word 2007 is as smart about these things as it used to be.

Am I missing something?

Thanks!

 

[Stefan Blom]

Set up a multilevel lists of bullets/numbers, each of which is associated
with a paragraph style. The general principles are described at
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/OutlineNumbering.html (see also
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/bullets/controlbullets.html).

The specific steps for Word 2007 are as follows: On the Home tab, click
Multilevel List, and then click Define New Multilevel List. Set up the
desired indentation and bullet or number formatting for each level, and
associate the appropriate style. (You have to click the More button to see
all relevant options.) When you are done, click OK.

To edit a multilevel list, place the insertion point in the first level 1
paragraph of the document, and then click Home tab | Multilevel List |
Define New Multilevel List again.

 

[Nebulous]

Thanks much, Stefan. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll perform those steps
this weekend.

I guess "Multileveled list" is new to 2007 over 2003, which I believe
treated all lists as potentially having more than one level. Not sure why the
distiction, since the stardard list also allows more than one level. I assume
(?) I'll still be able to promote/demote lists levels with TAB and SHIFT+TAB?

 

[Stefan Blom]

It is still true in Word 2007 that all lists are treated as "potential"
multilevel lists; I don't know how this works in detail. Apparently, in some
respects there still is a difference between single-level and multilevel
list.