Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Word for Mac

By

Desktop computer with pencils and books with text overlay "How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering in Word for Mac"Microsoft Word offers automatic list numbering that begins a list when you type the number 1 followed by a period at the start of a blank line. This feature is not always necessary, so today’s tutorial shows how to turn on and turn off automatic list numbering in Word for Mac.

Don’t miss the Pro Tip at the end, which shows an alternative way to quickly turn off automatic list numbering from within the text.

Quick Links:

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

Watch more than 150 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

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

How to Turn On and Turn Off Automatic List Numbering

  1. Select the Word menu.
Word Menu in Word for Mac 365
Figure 1. Word menu
  1. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
Preferences Option in the Word Menu in Word for Mac 365
Figure 2. Preferences option
  1. Select the AutoCorrect button in the Word Preferences dialog box.
AutoCorrect Button in the Word Preferences Dialog Box in Word for Mac 365
Figure 3. AutoCorrect 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 for Mac 365
Figure 4. 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 Word for Mac 365
Figure 5. Automatic numbered lists option

Note that you can also check or uncheck Automatic bulleted lists.

  1. Select the Close button.
AutoCorrect Dialog Box Close Button in Word for Mac 365
Figure 6. Close button

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

When you create the first entry in 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 4).

The AutoCorrect Options button will disappear once you create the second list entry.

AutoCorrect Options Button and Menu in Word for Mac 365
Figure 7. AutoCorrect Options button and menu

Related Resources

How to Create Custom List Numbers in Word for Mac

How to Create a Custom Heading Style in Microsoft Word for Mac

How to Adjust the Space between Words in Word for Mac

Updated April 01, 2022