Nested Table and bullet issues

Question

I am having issues with tables in MS Word. The issue is when I try to insert a bullet point in a table that is within another table then MS Word freezes, other times text gets randomly printed above the innermost table.

 Is there a way to resolve the problems with the table?

 

UPDATE 1:

The following is a screenshot of one of the problems that happen when I try insert a bullet point in a table that is within another table:

In the screenshot above a second bullet point randomly gets printed on the top of the innermost table

UPDATE 2:

I've edited this post to no longer include details of the bad experience I had on 09th Feb 2026 (IST) with the agents contacted at https://support.microsoft.com/ when trying to resolve bullet issues in nested tables. This is because I want to keep this thread strictly focused on resolving bullet issues in nested tables

Answer 1

I can replicate the issue with the application of bullets to text that is located in a table that is within a table and have reported it directly to the Microsoft Word Product Team.

I cannot help you with the issues with the Microsoft Support, but posting problems here in the first instance will result in them being seen by myself or one of a number of fellow MVPs who have the ability to communicate directly with the Microsoft Product Teams.

Answer 2

I am currently facing the same issue. Please expedite the fix.

Current workaround that works for me:

Turn off Automatic bulleted lists and Automatic numbered lists.

1. Go to File > Options > Proofing.
2. Click AutoCorrect Options and select the AutoFormat As You Type tab.
3. Uncheck Automatic bulleted lists and Automatic numbered lists. After that I am able to use the bullet/numbered command buttons on the ribbon like usual.

Answer 3

Sorry if the following below is something I already mentioned before, I was trying to see if I can accept my answer as the solution. But unfortunately, it does not seem that there is an option for the author of the post to accept their own answer as the solution. Also there seems to be no option to delete a comment.

If anyone is still facing bullet issues in nested tables I recommend trying the following:

"Since the issue only happens in your Microsoft Word, I recommend repairing the Office app you have:

Press the Windows key + R, then type in:

appwiz.cpl

Then hit OK

Look for the Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 app, which includes your Microsoft Word > Right-click, then select "Change" > Select "Quick Repair". Then follow the prompts to repair."

If Quick Repair does not work then I would suggest to try Online Repair

I got the idea above from Bernard while trying to solve a blinking issue https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5867572/mouse-pointer-blinking-too-many-times-in-ms-word . The blinking issue was resolved but unfortunately occurred again however it seems the bullet issues in nested tables is resolved.

Answer 4

I also have this issue which is affecting creating emails (as Outlook uses the word engine).

A sometimes working temporary fix I found is to format all text in the body cell with "no spacing" style. Then apply formatting.

As I'm trying to create email templates I'd really like a reliable fix for this though...