How To Insert Bullets in Excel

Do you need to add bullet points to your Excel sheet?

You might have noticed that Excel lacks a built-in bullet function like Microsoft Word. However, you can still add them with a few tricks. Continue reading this post to learn how to insert bullet points in Excel.

Adding Bullet Points With Keyboard Shortcuts

Our first method is ideal for quick, simple bullet lists within a single cell or across multiple cells. It’s a fast way to create organized lists without formulas or more advanced Excel features.

1. Select the cell where you want to insert the bullet point.

2. Activate the number pad on your keyboard (make sure Num Lock is on).

3. Press Alt + 7 on the numeric keypad to insert a bullet point (•). If you want a different symbol, you can try Alt + 9 for a hollow bullet (○).

4. Type your text after the bullet point.

5. If you need to add more lines with bullets within the same cell, press Alt + Enter to create a line break. Then press Alt key + 7 again to add another bullet for the new line.

Adding Bullet Points With Symbols

The symbols method allows you to choose from a wide variety of bullet symbols, giving you more flexibility in terms of style and appearance. It’s perfect if you want to make your lists stand out or use customized symbols beyond basic bullets.

1. Select the cell: Click the cell where you want to insert the bullet point.

2. Go to the Insert tab: At the top of your Excel window, click the "Insert" tab.

3. Choose the symbol option: In the Insert tab, look for the "Symbols" section and click on "Symbol."

   

4. Select a bullet symbol: A window will pop up showing different symbols. In the “Font” dropdown, select "Wingdings" or "Wingdings 2" for traditional bullet styles (or another font with symbols, like "Arial Unicode MS"). Scroll through the options in the Symbol dialog box or type the character code for specific bullet symbols, such as:

   • • (Bullet) – Code: 2022

   • ▪ (Square Bullet) – Code: 25AA

5. Insert the symbol: Once you find the bullet style you want, click Insert. The bullet will appear in your selected cell.

   

6. Add more bullets: To add multiple bullet points in the same cell, press Alt + Enter to create a new line within the cell, then repeat the symbol insertion for each bullet.

Adding Bullet Points With the "CHAR" Function

The CHAR function enables you to insert bullet points into cells using Excel’s built-in character codes. This approach is useful when creating formulas or customizing how the bullet points are displayed alongside text. Here's a detailed breakdown of how to use it:

1. Understand the CHAR function: Excel’s CHAR() function returns a specific character based on a numeric code. For example, the code 149 corresponds to a bullet point symbol (•).

2. Using CHAR(149) for bullet points: To insert a bullet in a cell, type =CHAR(149) and press Enter. The cell will display a bullet point (•).

3. Combining CHAR with text: If you want to add bullets next to specific text, combine the CHAR() function with your text using the & operator. Example: =CHAR(149) & " Complete the final report and presentation"This formula will display a bullet point followed by the text "Complete the final report and presentation" in the same cell.

4. Using CHAR to insert multiple bullet points: You can list multiple items with bullets points in the same cell with this method. Use the bullet character and insert line breaks between items by adding CHAR(10) (the code for a line break in Excel).  For example, =CHAR(149) & " Task 1" & CHAR(10) & CHAR(149) & " Task 2"

After entering the formula, press Alt + Enter to ensure the text appears on multiple lines within the same cell. This creates a bulleted list inside a single cell.

5. Using other symbols with CHAR: The CHAR() function can be used with different codes to insert fancy bullet points. Some common ones include:

• • (Bullet) – Code: 2022

• ▪ (Square Bullet) – Code: 25AA

This lets you customize your bullet style if you prefer something other than the standard bullet point.

Custom Numbering with Conditional Formatting

Custom numbering with conditional formatting allows you to create bullet points using symbols or shapes based on specific criteria. This technique gives you control over which cells display bullet points. So, it is highly customizable for different data sets. It’s particularly useful when you want to format bullet points dynamically, depending on cell values.

1. Select the cells to apply bullets: First, select the range of cells where you want bullet points to appear. For example, you may want to apply bullets next to tasks in a to-do list.

2. Open Conditional Formatting: Go to the Home tab and click Conditional Formatting in the ribbon. From the dropdown menu, select New Rule.

3. Choose a rule type: In the New Formatting Rule dialog box, choose the option "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"

4. Enter a formula: In the formula box, enter a logical formula that will dictate when the bullet points should appear. For example, if you want bullets to appear next to any non-empty cell in a column, use this formula: =A1<>""

This formula checks if the cell is not empty. You can adjust it based on your needs (e.g., show bullets for cells with certain values).

5. Apply a custom number format: After entering the formula, click Format to customize how the bullet points will appear. Go to the Number tab in the Format Cells dialog box and select Custom.

6. Insert the bullet symbol: In the Type box, type the following custom format to insert a bullet before the text:

• General

Alternatively, you can use any symbol you want by copying and pasting it into the custom format box. For example:

• Square Bullet: ▪ General

• Arrow Bullet: → General

7. Finalize the conditional formatting: Click OK to apply the conditional formatting rule. Now, the selected cells will display a bullet point whenever they meet the condition you specified (in this case, when the cell is not empty).

Final Thoughts on "How To Insert Bullets in Excel"

The best way to add bullet points in Excel is by using keyboard shortcuts like Alt + 7 on the number pad. It’s quick, easy, and requires no advanced setup. For more complex lists or customization, using the CHAR function (=CHAR(149)) or symbols via the Insert menu offers greater flexibility.

You can visit our homepage for more easy-to-follow how-to and step-by-step guides. Check the links in related articles for further details about Excel/Google Sheets Templates!

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