How to Add Bullet Points to PowerPoint (+ Video)

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How to Quickly Add PowerPoint Bullet Points (QuickStart Video)

Want to learn how to insert bullet points in PPT by watching a pro? We’ve got you covered with a screencast. It shows you how to add bullet points in PPT in just 60 seconds.

Step-by-Step Guide to PowerPoint Bullet Points

Let’s look at how to add bullet points in PowerPoint with a step-by-step tutorial guide. We’ll explore other design options too. For example, you’ll see how to indent bullet point in PowerPoint layouts. And we’ll take a look at how to change color of bullets in PowerPoint, and more!

The best way to see how to create a multilevel list in PowerPoint is with a premium template. The top source for these is Envato Elements, with thousands of designs to choose from.

For this tutorial, we’ll work with the beautiful Iconic PowerPoint Template from Elements. Inside, you’ll find many slide layouts and cool custom designs. Download it today to follow along!

Step 1. How to Add Bullet Points in PowerPoint

Let’s look at how to add PowerPoint bullet points to any slide. There are really two ways to go about this:

1. You might be working on a blank slide, where you’re starting from scratch.
2. Or, you may already have text that you want to convert to PPT bullet point form.

Let’s explore both options.

First, imagine that you have a slide with no text on it. But you want to type in some words and phrases and place them in bullet format! Easy.

To begin, click into a text box on your slide. Then, find the Home tab. This is on PowerPoint’s ribbon, the list of menu options across the top of your screen.

With the Home tab open, find the Paragraph group just left of center. In it, click on the Bullets button. You’ll see PowerPoint bullet points appear on your slide! From here, simply begin typing.

Each time that you want to add a new bullet, simply hit Enter on your keyboard. Just like that, you’ve learned how to create a multilevel list in PowerPoint.

Now, imagine that you already have text on your slide, and you want to transform it into a bulleted list. Fortunately, this is very easy. And you won’t have to retype any text. To get started, select the contents of a text box.

Then, return to the Home tab and click Bullets. Watch as PowerPoint converts the paragraph text into a bulleted list.

Step 2. How to Indent Bullet Points in PowerPoint

With a basic bulleted list added to your slide, you can now create an indented bulleted list. These are often called subpoint bullets. Think of “regular” bullets as showing key ideas.

Subpoint bullets are bullets indented more than those above them. They help you list sub-topics and supporting details.  

To indent bullet points, return to an existing bulleted list that you have on a slide. Find a bullet point that you want to add subpoints to. Place your cursor at the end of the last word in the bullet, then press Enter. You’ll see PowerPoint add a new PPT bullet point.

But our work isn’t done. Notice that the bullet point isn’t indented. To change this, hit the Tab key on your keyboard. In a flash, you’ll see your bullet indent. You can use the Tab key one or more times to control how to indent bullet point in PowerPoint styles.

Once you finish adding your subpoint, you can hit Enter again. By default, PowerPoint will place another indented bullet directly below the first. This is a workflow shortcut that keeps your designs looking cool and consistent.

Step 3. How to Change PPT Bullet Point Designs

By default, PowerPoint uses round, solid black bullets when you add a bulleted list. In many cases, this is a great design aesthetic to use! But you don’t have to stick with it. In fact, PowerPoint includes several unique bullet designs!

Again, the process here changes slightly based on whether you already have a bulleted list in place. If you don’t, repeat the step of clicking into a blank text box and going to the Home tab. But this time, click on the drop-down arrow beside the Bullets button. 

When you do, you’ll see a small gallery pane appear. Inside, you’ll see thumbnail previews of different bullet styles. These include hollow bullets, square bullets, check marks, and more. See a design you like? Click on the thumbnail, and you’ll see PowerPoint bullet points appear on your slide.

Already have a bulleted list on your slide with existing text? Select it in full, then go to Home and open the Bullets drop-down arrow. Then, choose a new style. Click on it, and you’ll see PowerPoint convert the existing bullets into the new design. 

Want even more options? Numbered lists are a modified version of bullet lists. Instead of bullets, they use numbers (or numerical symbols) to list content. And they work exactly like PowerPoint bullet points!

These options sit directly beside the Bullets drop-down, on the Numbering menu. Next to the Numbering icon, click on the drop-down arrow.

You’ll see another gallery open with even more options. Explore them and click on one. Again, you can use this to add a new list or to convert a list that you’ve already built.

Step 4. How to Change Bullet Color in PowerPoint

With PPT bullet point designs in place, you can change the color of your bullet points! This is a fun and fast way to make lists more stylish. Plus, it really helps your key details stand out, all thanks to some color contrast. 

Let’s dive in and learn how to change the color of bullet points in PowerPoint. With your PowerPoint bullet points selected, come up to the Bullets (or Numbering) menu buttons again.

Click on the drop-down arrow, and then click Bullets and Numbering at the bottom.

The Bullets and Numbering menu opens. There, you’ll see the Color button. Click on Color, and you’ll see a color chooser menu. Browse the available shades, then click one to apply it. You’ll see your list transform in real time once you click OK!

Step 5. How to Change PPT Bullet Point Line Spacing

Finally, let’s learn how to change the line spacing of PowerPoint bullet points. To get started, select your bulleted list. Then, return to the Paragraph group on the Home tab. 

Locate the Line Spacing menu and click on the drop-down arrow beside it. By default, PowerPoint will single-space lines of text. From the list of options, you can choose a different value, like 1.5, 2.0, or 3.0.

Need more flexibility? At the bottom of the drop-down, click to launch the Line Spacing Options menu.

Here, you can make detailed custom edits to bullet spacing and indentation. For example, you can boost spacing and control how lists interact together.

Make a few edits, to add a bit of space between PPT bullet point text lines. You can do this by using the arrow menus, or by keyboarding in your own values. When you’re finished, click OK. You’ll see how PowerPoint bullet points adjust based on your choices.

As you can see, it’s amazingly easy to learn how to add bullet points in PowerPoint! Plus, you’ve learned how to change color of bullets in PPT and much more! That’s all thanks to beautiful premium templates from Envato Elements. They work perfectly with PowerPoint’s robust, built-in features.

More Envato Tuts+ PowerPoint Tutorials

You’ve already learned a ton of skills:

• how to change bullet color in PowerPoint
• how to indent bullet point in PowerPoint lists
• how to create a multilevel list in PowerPoint

Keep going with our Ultimate PowerPoint Tutorial guide. We’ve got many PowerPoint tutorials on many topics! For example, you’ll enjoy these how-tos on PPT presentation animations. They help you build cool designs fast!

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The Top Source for PPT Bullet Point Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Premium PPT bullet point templates are the best way to succeed in 2023. And the top source for these is Envato Elements. With thousands of templates, you’re sure to find a winning option for every project! And thanks to PowerPoint, you can add PPT bullet point designs to every single slide.

Elements includes millions of other digital assets! For example, you’ll enjoy stock photos, fonts, music, and more. All are available with unlimited downloads, for a flat monthly rate. It’s the best creative value you can imagine in 2023.

Find PowerPoint Templates

Sure, you can find free templates online. But their style will be much less robust than a premium Envato Elements option. With an Elements PPT bullet point template, you’ll benefit from:

• Custom placeholders. You can rapidly drop in text, images, and more.
• Elegant, modern layouts. Slide designs are hand-crafted by creative experts. The layouts look sleek and professional throughout.
• Data visuals and graphics. Premium themes often include infographics and charts that help you bring data to life.

As you can see, Envato Elements is a creative offer that you can’t afford to miss! Join today and start browsing the vast library! You’ll be glad you did.  

Make Great Presentations (Free PDF eBook Download)

We also have the perfect complement to this tutorial! Our free eBook will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. 

Download our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It’s available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

Now You Know How to Add Bullet Points in PowerPoint

PPT bullet points are essential icons. They help break content down into easy-to-follow sections. And with this guide, you now know how to add bullet points in PowerPoint with total customization.

It’s your turn to try this out. Practice how to add bullet points to a text heavy slide. Your audience is sure to understand content in PowerPoint bullet points much more easily.

Editorial Note: This tutorial was originally published in February of 2018. It’s been completely revised with help from Andrew Childress to ensure that it’s accurate and up to date.