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When using numbered lists ...

David Doonan 20 Reputation points
2025-10-31T15:28:10.2433333+00:00

When using numbered lists, when double digit numbers occur, there is additional space before the text begins.

How do I correct that?

Screenshot 2025-10-31 at 11.26.01 AM

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS
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  1. IGYQ 18,780 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-31T16:13:54.3066667+00:00

    Hi!

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

    You can check the uneven spacing in number lists by selecting your entire numbered list. Click and drag over all the lines that are part of the list. Next, go to the Home tab → click the multilevel list / numbering dropdown arrow (next to the bullet list icon) and choose "define new number format".

    In the pop-up:

    • Number format: Keep it as is, no changes.
    • Alignment: Choose Left (important, this avoids shifting when reaching double digits).
    • Follow number with: Choose Tab character.
    • At: Adjust to around 0.25" (or 0.5 cm) for the text indent.
    • Click OK.

    Try these steps first then check it again if it will still show incorrect spacing. Let me know what happened so I can assist you further.

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Answer recommended by moderator

  1. Charles Kenyon 166.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-10-31T17:08:04.3833333+00:00

    See:

    You need to select the first item in your list and under the MultiLevel List icon select Define New MultiLevel List.

    You want to use the MultitLevel List choice, even if you are using a flat single-level list. This is not the icon that is highlighted, but the one to its right. It is the Define New MultiLevel List dialog that gives control over indentation.

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  1. Stefan Blom 339.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-10-31T18:32:54.4033333+00:00

    By default, a tab character is added after the paragraph number. To see this clearly, display nonprinting characters in Word, for example by clicking the ¶ icon on the Home tab.

    For wider numbers (for example, those consisting of many digits), the text following the number may bypass the custom tab stop and instead go to the next default tab stop. Do the following to fix the alignment: Click in the very first item of your list and visit the Multilevel List dialog box (Home tab > Paragraph group > Multilevel List > Define New Multilevel List). Adjust the "Add tab stop at" position. Some trial and error may be required to find the appropriate value. to get a hanging indent, you would want "Add tab stop at" to be the same value as "Text indent at." See the screen shot below.

    For more, see Charles's links as well as http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/NumberAlignment2007.htm#NumberedLists .

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