How to use Google docs numbered list

Keep reading to know how to use Google docs numbered list?

When is the last time you’ve prepared a list? Say, you’re going shopping – the first thing that could help is an item listing for you not to miss needy. Similarly, imagine you’re supposed to give an energetic public talk in front of many of your colleagues. Having a list of hints would definitely boost your confidence to the next level. This way, lists have become an integral part of documenting, writing, speaking, or any form of communication we use on daily basis.

To create a numbered list or multilevel lists in Google Docs, Enter all the items or texts –> Select all items –> Click on Format menu –> Select Bullets & Numbering –> Choose the Numbered List option.

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Let’s dive deep and break down different aspects, how to use Google Docs numbered list, formatting lists, etc in this article below. 

Google Docs lists types

Google docs just like any documenting tool, offer us various list types to work with categories and listings. Roughly one can divide into two major categories, 

• Bulleted list 
• Numbered list

Say, you don’t care much about numbers, ie. you don’t focus on the order, and just want to list items, choose a bulleted list. Bulleted lists are simple.

On the other hand, say you care about the orders ie: numbers are important, go with numbered lists. They are pretty straightforward and make sense right? 

You can also find multiple variations in each category listed. You can access it via the arrow to its right. 

How to use Google Docs numbered list on a computer?

To use Google Docs numbered list on a computer, simply follow the below steps.

Step 1: Open Google Docs in the browser of your choice. 

If you aren’t logged in already, Google will prompt you to log in with your credentials to continue working. 

Note: Google Docs is an amazing application with lots of flexibility in cross-browser compatibility. Thus the below steps will be the same in all the major modern browsers out there.

Step 2: Now open the document to which you wish to add a numbered list. 

Note: In case if you haven’t created the document yet, choose the Blank from the list at the top. 

Step 3: After opening, make sure the contents are present. If not type in your content and wait for the document to be saved automatically. 

Step 4: Place the cursor on the place where you want to add a list. Then head over to the toolbar above. 

Step 5: In the toolbar, you can find two types of lists next to the next – bulleted list and numbered list. We’ll need the later one (numbered list  ) here.  

Note: You can also find the same options under the Format menu. Choose Format -> Bullets & Numbering -> Numbered List

Step 6: By default, it would add 1,2,3 kind of list we would encounter in normal number listings. But, as said above you can customize with other options as well. 

Step 7: To change the type, click on the arrow to it’s right. You will find many other variations. Select the one that suits you and experiment that way. 

How to create and use multilevel numbered lists in Google Docs?

Well, before that, we should know What is a multilevel list?.

Multilevel lists help you to create an outline on your document with more than one level.

You’ll not need a single hierarchy list in all cases. Say, you need to prepare a table of contents for your document. You may have categories with subcategories inside them. What will you choose in such cases? No worries, lists in Google Docs are super flexible, the way you can nest list inside multiple lists. In simple words, the hierarchy could chain on. 

How do I make a multilevel list in Google Docs?

To create multilevel numbered lists in Google Docs, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Open Google Docs in your browser. If you aren’t logged in already, Google will prompt you to log in with your credentials to continue working. 

Step 2: Now open the document to which you wish to create and use a multilevel numbered list. 

Note: In case if you haven’t created the document yet, choose the Blank from the list at the top of the screen. 

Step 3: After opening, make sure the contents are present. If not type in your content and wait for the document to be saved automatically. 

Step 4: Follow the same steps above which we have seen for creating a numbered list in Google Docs. All you have to do is start typing on a line and use the enter key to add more to the list. 

Step 5: To add a list new list inside a list, press the Tab key. The new list will be indented.

Step 6: To format the list style, click on the arrow to it’s right. You will find many other variations. Select the one that suits you and experiment that way. 

Step 7: To get back to the main list at the top level, hit the enter key twice on your keyboard.

How to use Google Docs numbered list on your mobile?

In this mobile world, you would often work on documents on your mobile as well. Thus Google offers that flexibility in time. The below steps to use Google Docs numbered list remains the same for both android and ios. To use Google Docs numbered list on your mobile, simply follow the below steps: 

Step 1: Tap on the Google Drive app icon in your android explorer to open the app. If you aren’t logged in already, Google will prompt you to login with your credentials to continue working. 

Step 2: You’ll be presented with your list of docs to choose from. Scroll through the list to choose the one you need to add a numbered list from it.  

Step 3:  Now, tap on the edit icon (pencil icon). Normally you will find it on the right bottom as a floating icon. 

Step 4: You’ll be in the edit mode. Thus tap on the place where you wish to add your numbered list. 

Step 5: At the top, just near the undo, redo options, click on the format icon

Step 6: This would open a separate bottom panel with text and paragraph formatting options. 

Step 7: Choose a paragraph. 

Step 8: Tap on the list style type that suits. 

Step 9: Optionally, you can indent, at the top tap on increase intend or decrease intend option as needed. 

How to use and change Google Docs numbered list color?

Colors play a vital role in highlighting things as important. They catch attention and thus can be the potential weapons of all times. You can easily use and change Google Docs numbered lists color just like any text in Google Docs. To use and change the Google Docs numbered list color, follow  the below steps: 

Step 1: Open Google Docs in the browser of your choice. If you aren’t logged in already, Google will prompt you to login with your credentials to continue working. 

Step 2: Now open the document to which you wish to add a numbered list and change the color of the numbered list. 

Step 3: Type in your content and wait for your Google Docs document to be saved automatically. 

Step 4: Move your cursor to the place where the numbered list is already present. 

Step 5: Now, click on the number. Make sure it’s selected and highlighted in light blue. 

Step 6: Now head to the top toolbar, click Text color .

Step 7: From the color palette displayed, pick your favorite color to apply.

Google Docs Numbered List Problems

In case, you are facing any problems with Google Docs numbered list, you can try restarting the numbered list using the below steps

1. Open the Google Docs document where you are facing problems with the numbered list.
2. From the number list, just, double-click on the first number.
3. Now, click on the Format –> Select Bullets & numbering –> Choose the List options –> then click on Restart numbering option.

4. Now, you can enter a new number from the list or the number from where you want to start the number list and then click on the Ok button.

How do I create a sublist in Google Docs?

Well, let’s discuss here How to Create Sub-lists in Google Docs. Follow the below quick steps.

1. Go to the numbered lists next to the one where you want to create a sub-list and click there.
2. Now, Press ‘tab’ and a sub-list will be created.

When would a numbered list be used instead of a bulleted list?

There are a few scenarios where you can use either a numbered list or a bulleted list. But it’s better

• When you have the requirement that all the items on the list must be in a specific or proper order that time you should use the numbered list.

• In the other case, when the items on the list don’t require to be in a specific order that time you should use the bulleted list.

How to continue numbering in Google Docs

It’s quite easy to continue numbering in Google Docs using the Numbered list. Just you need to know the quick tricks.

Consider a scenario, where you have started a numbered list before an image and you need to continue the numbering even after the image and there is some space after the image. You are applying the numberlist again so It actually starts again from 1 after the image. But you need to continue the numbering.

Follow the below steps to continue the numbering

1. Right click on the number –> Select Restart Nembering.

2. On the Numbering window, By default you will see number 1 on the textbox you can mention the next number for the continuation of numbering based on your need. In my case, it is 8 for continuing my numbering. Finally, click on the Ok button to apply the changes.

Now the numbering is continued with 8 as the next number for me.

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Cool, thus we have explored all the ins and outs when it comes to working with the numbered list on Google Docs and how easy to create and use numbered list or multilevel lists in Google Docs. Hope you’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. Make sure to try these tips next time when you use Google Docs numbered list on your document and get your job done super-duper. Happy documenting!

Rajkishore Sahoo

I am Rajkishore, and I have over 14 years of experience in the Software Industry.  For a long time, I have been using Google Docs, Google Drive, and Google Sheets for my document usage, and I am sharing all the tips and tricks, the challenges I have come across, and their solutions to use Google Docs for your day-to-day use. I hope you will learn from these practical Google Docs tutorials. Read more.