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How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Microsoft Word

By Erin Wright

Laptop on desk with text overlay "How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Microsoft Word"We recently looked at how to create and modify numbered lists in Microsoft Word. However, Word also offers automatic list numbering which begins a list when you type the number 1 followed by a period at the start of a blank line. This feature is not ideal in all situations, so today’s tutorial shows how to turn on and turn off automatic list numbering in Microsoft Word.

Plus, the Pro Tip at the end shows an alternative way to turn off automatic list numbering from within the text.

Are you on a Mac? Please see “How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Word for Mac.”

Quick Links:

  • How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Microsoft Word
  • Pro Tip: How to Turn Off Automatic List Numbering from within the Text in Microsoft Word

This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 100 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.

How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Microsoft Word

  1. Select the File tab in the ribbon.
File tab in Word 365
Figure 1. File tab
  1. Select the Options tab in the Backstage view.
Options in the Backstage view of Word 365
Figure 2. Options tab
  1. Select the Proofing tab in the Word Options dialog box.
Proofing tab in the Word Options dialog box in Word 365
Figure 3. Proofing tab
  1. Select the AutoCorrect Options button.
AutoCorrect Options Button in the Word Options Dialog Box in Word 365
Figure 4. AutoCorrect Options button
  1. Select the AutoFormat As You Type tab in the AutoCorrect dialog box.
AutoFormat As You Type Tab in the AutoCorrect Dialog Box in Word 365
Figure 5. AutoFormat As You Type tab
  1. Check Automatic numbered lists to turn on automatic list numbering or uncheck it to turn off automatic list numbering.
Automatic Numbered Lists Option in the AutoCorrect Dialog Box in Word 365
Figure 6. Automatic numbered lists option
  1. Select the OK button in the AutoCorrect dialog box.
OK button in the AutoCorrect dialog box in Word 365
Figure 7. OK button
  1. Select the OK button in the Word Options dialog box.
OK Button in the Word Options Dialog Box in Word 365
Figure 8. OK button

Pro Tip: How to Turn Off Automatic List Numbering from within the Text in Microsoft Word

When you first begin working on a list with automatic numbering turned on, you can quickly turn off the automatic numbering by selecting the AutoCorrect Options button and then selecting Stop Automatically Creating Numbered Lists from the drop-down menu.

Alternatively, you can select Control AutoFormat Options to open the AutoCorrect dialog box (see figure 6).

Note that the AutoCorrect Options button only appears when you first begin working on a list with automatic numbering. The button disappears when you create the second list entry.

AutoCorrect Options Button and Menu in Word 365
Figure 9. AutoCorrect Options button and menu

Related Resources

How to Create Bulleted Lists in Microsoft Word

How to Create Custom Bullets in Microsoft Word

Filed Under: Microsoft Word Tagged With: formatting, Word 2013, Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, Word 365

Home » How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Microsoft Word

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Technical Writer and Editor Erin Wright

Hello! My name is Erin. I am a technical writer and editor who shares writing-related software tutorials on this website and on YouTube.

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