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Changing levels in Number or Bullet lists

Anonymous
2010-03-03T18:07:21+00:00

For many years through many version of Word, I have moved levels in the numbering or bullet format up or down using the keyboard shortcuts TAB and SHIFT-TAB.  Suddenly a few days ago, the shortcut no longer worked: a TAB actually tabs the text away from the number (1. or a. or i.) instead of moving the number and text over to the right (to the next tab stop) and changing the hierarchy of the number.  Strangely, SHIFT-TAB also performs exactly the same action: tabbing the text over (not back to the left) but not the number.

The Increase and Decrease Indent buttons in Paragraph on the Home tab work normally and I've even discovered the Alt H, AO/AI shortcut, but not the TAB/SHIFT-TAB which has worked at least back to the Windows 95 days.

Any clues how to reset would be appreciated.   I'm old school and keyboard oriented, so the mouse intensive approach is killing me.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-03T18:17:30+00:00

    Hi..

    1. Open Word 2007.
    2. Click on the Office button and Word options.
    3. Click on Proofing.
    4. Click on Auto correct options.
    5. Click on Auto format as you type.
    6. Check the options "Set left and first indent with tabs and backspaces".
    7. Click on OK.

    Cheers...!!

    A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem - Albert Einstein

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-04-19T12:41:33+00:00

    The Tab and Shift+Tab shortcuts still work provided you check the box for "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and backspaces" at File | Options | Proofing | AutoCorrect Options | AutoFormat As You Type. Even if you don't have this option enabled, you can use Alt+Shift+Left/Right Arrow in a multilevel list.

    To my surprise, the method you suggest does work, but it's necessary to first backspace to remove the numbering applied by Word, and you have to keep track of what is the next number in the list (if you type the wrong number, it doesn't work). It seems more efficient to me to use the built-in keyboard shortcuts.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-04-19T11:52:06+00:00

    I really like the keyboard shortcut to change the List Level as well and as stated above it seems to have vanished in Word 2013.

    In Word 2013 all you need to do is type the next "Numbered" point and  it automatically places it in the right level.

    So just type a "2" or an "a" or an "ii" and the characters will get placed in the appropriate place in the numbered list.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-05T03:18:28+00:00

    Thank You SOOO Much, I couldn't figure out how to fix this... I even went to Geek Squad, and they weren't able to help me... I really apprceciate it!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-13T13:19:49+00:00

    Try the steps given in the link at the bottom:

    Disclaimer: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk

    Visit the following link for more information on registry back-up: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921541

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