Bulleted List Does Not Align with Margin Using Unindent Button

ID: Q88125

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word for Windows, if you indent a bulleted list by choosing the Indent button on the toolbar, you cannot then use the Unindent button to return the bullet to the left margin. If you choose the Unindent button, the bullet repositions on the left or right side of the left margin; it does not reposition AT the left margin.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Word for Windows listed above. This problem was corrected in Word version 6.0 for Windows.

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MORE INFORMATION

This problem occurs because the Bulleted List command applies hanging indent formatting to the paragraph, which includes a First Line setting of -0.25 inches under Indentation. The Indent and Unindent buttons do not change the First Line setting; therefore, the first line of the paragraph remains formatted for -0.25 inches when the rest of the paragraph is formatted for no left indent.

WORKAROUND

If the value of the Hanging Indent By setting is the same as the Default Tab Stops value, you can reposition the bullet at the left margin by choosing the Unindent button on the toolbar. Change one of these settings to match the other.

To change the Hanging Indent By setting, choose Bullets and Numbering from the Tools menu. Select the Bullets option button. Type or select the new value in the By box and choose the OK button.

To change the Default Tab Stops setting, choose Tabs from the Format menu. Type or select the new value in the Default Tab Stops box and choose the OK button.

Note: You can create a style that contains the modified tab or hanging indent formatting. For information on creating styles, refer to pages 200-204 of the "Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide."

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. In a Word for Windows document, select a paragraph that contains no

   indent formatting.

2. Choose the Bulleted List button on the toolbar.

3. Choose the Indent button on the toolbar. The text is now indented

   to the first default tab stop.

4. Choose the Unindent button on the toolbar. The bullet is located
   0.25 inches to the left of the left margin, and the text is aligned
   with the left margin.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide," version 2.0, pages 200-204

KBCategory: kbusage KBSubcategory: kbformat Additional query words: winword2 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-cd tool bar word6 winword

Keywords          : kbformat 
Version           : 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 7, 1998