• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

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

By Erin Wright

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:

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

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

Filed Under: Microsoft Word Tagged With: formatting, Word 365, Word for Mac

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

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Author

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.

Recent Tutorials

How to Change the Font Color of Modern Comments in Microsoft Word

How to Add an Updating Date and Time in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Crop Pages in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)

How to Insert and Modify Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Find and Replace Text in Word for Mac

Explore More Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

Do you like quick tips? Check out my latest YouTube #Short

Footer

  • Microsoft Word Tutorials
  • Adobe Acrobat Tutorials
  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Writing Tips
  • Editing Tips
  • Writing-Related Resources
  • About Me
  • Contact
Email: erinwrightwriting@gmail.com
Phone: 708-669-9503

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© Erin Wright, 2012–2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website’s owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Erin Wright with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.