What is the Difference Between Bulleted and Numbered List?
When writing a document or report, you may need to use a bulleted or numbered list. They are both used to highlight specific points in your text. But despite their similar appearance, there are several differences between the two. The first difference to be noted is the positioning of the items in the list. Numbered lists place the number and separator before each item, while bullets do not. It is important to remember that the position of each item in a numbered list can be changed based on how you want the list to appear.
A bulleted list is often simpler to read and easier to comprehend. You can change the bullets’ size and spacing. Bullets also do not require commas. For example, if a bulleted list points to a certain entry, you do not need an “and” at the end. However, you do need to capitalize the first letter of each item.
If you do not wish to include a numbered list, you can create an embedded list. An embedded list contains items within a sentence, such as a citation or an introduction. These lists are less obvious than bulleted lists, but still retain the meaning of the original list.
Bulleted lists are used when the items in the list do not need to be in chronological order. However, if the items are related, you may consider using a numbered list. Using a numbered list is more useful when you have a set of items that need to be in sequential order. Creating a numbered list can help make your information seem more important.
The APA style guide includes instructions on how to write a numbered list. In particular, a numbered list should be introduced with an introductory paragraph. This paragraph should include a sentence introducing the items in the list, along with a key phrase. After the introductory paragraph, the list should be formatted as follows.
Numbered lists are usually more formal and less straightforward. While they are more common for academic texts, they can also be useful in business documents. The APA style blog includes examples of both kinds of lists.
Whether you use a numbered or bulleted list, it is important to follow the style guide. Many style guides have strict rules about what type of formatting to use for each style. Some styles prefer the use of colons and commas. Others prefer the use of initial capitalization.
In Word 2013, you can change the format of your bulleted or numbered list using the Text tool. To select the Text tool, press the T key. Use the CommandShift8 shortcut to turn multiple layers of text into a bulleted or numbered list. Alternatively, you can use the Bullets and Numbering button on the Paragraph panel to edit your formatting.
If you’re using InDesign CS3 or later, you can also add bullets and numbers to your list, changing the indentation, spacing, and font attributes. Changing these items will also affect the style of the list.
