Are you tired of creating Word documents with the same old bullet points?
Do you want to add a personal touch to your Word documents to make them stand out?
Don’t look any further! In this guide, I’ll show you how to create custom bullets in Word to make your list more attractive.
It is also easier to read your entries and data if they are listed.
In addition to using inbuilt bullet styles, adding your bullets to the bullet design library is a breeze. That way, you can use them for another list.
Note: This article explains how to make custom bullets in Word using symbols and uploading a picture file from your computer.
RELATED: Check our guide on how to insert bullets in Word.
How to Create Custom Bullets in Word
This step-by-step guide will show two easy ways to create custom bullets for Word.
Let’s get started.
Method #1: Use Symbols to Create Custom Bullets in Word
Steps to create custom bullets in Word using symbols:
1. Open your document
Open your Word document.
Select the text you want to use to add symbol bullets.
2. Select a symbol for bullets
Select the Home tab from the ribbon.
In the Paragraph group, click the Bullet icons drop-down arrow. A Bullet Library will open.
Then, at the bottom, select the Define New Bullet option. It will open a Define New Bullet dialog box.
Select the Symbol tab. A dialog box will open with different kinds of symbols.
- In Word for Mac, select the Bullet tab (for symbols).
Select the drop-down arrow next to Font.
Scroll down and choose Wingdings 2. It will open a collection of new symbols.
Note: You can choose any font you like from the list, but for this guide, we have selected Wingdings 2.
Choose any symbol you want to use for your bulleted list.
Once selected, click OK to confirm and close the Symbol dialog box.
The Define New Bullet window will show you a preview of the new bullet. Click the OK button to insert custom bullets in your Word document.
- In Word for Mac, preview the new bullet in the Customize Bulleted List dialog box.
Microsoft Word displays the new symbol to your list as a bullet.
Tip: When you click the Bullets drop-down, the new symbol appears under the Recently Used Bullets and Bullet Library.
3. Customize the Symbol Bullet
In your Word document, select the bulleted text.
Click on the Bullets drop-down arrow.
At the bottom, select the Define New Bullet.
Select the Font tab.
- Under Font, click the arrow and select Wingdings 2.
- In the Font style, choose any type.
- Under Size, select any font size.
- Under Font color, click the arrow and choose any color.
Once done, click OK to confirm your changes and close the dialog box.
Preview the changes in the Define New Bullet dialog box and click OK to confirm.
The changed symbol bullets appear in your list.
You can find the new bullet style in the Bullet Library under Document Bullets and use it for another list.
Method #2: Use a Picture to Create Custom Bullets in Word
Steps to create custom bullets in Word using a picture file:
1. Open your document
Open your existing Word document.
Select the text you want to use to add picture bullets.
2. Upload a Picture file
Select the Home tab from the ribbon.
In the Paragraph group, click the Bullet icons drop-down arrow.
In the Bullet Library, select Define New Bullet.
Select the Picture tab. It will open an Insert Pictures dialog box.
Click Browse next to From a File (to choose a picture stored on your computer).
- If you want to use a picture file stored on your OneDrive, select Browse next to OneDrive.
In the File Manager window, locate and select your bullet image.
Click the Insert button at the bottom. It also closes the File Manager.
Preview your picture bullet, and set alignment in the Define New Bullet dialog box.
Once done, click OK to apply.
The picture file appears as a bullet in your list.
Tips:
- Word adds the picture bullet in the Bullet Library. You can also use it for another list.
- If you want to change the size of your custom picture bullet, select the picture bullet and click the arrow next to Font Size. Select any size from the drop-down list.
- You cannot customize the picture bullet. You can only change its size.
Conclusion
This step-by-step guide has shown you how to create custom bullets in Word using symbols and pictures. I hope you’ve found this article helpful.
Select the custom bullets you want to change in your document and press Ctrl+Shift+P. In the size field, type any size to make your custom bullets bigger. The default size of bullets in Word is 16px. You can choose 20/24px or larger to make it look bigger.
