How To Insert Bullet Points in Google Sheets

Struggling to insert bullet points in Google Sheets?

While Sheets doesn’t have a direct bullet point feature, there are several simple workarounds. You can use shortcuts, formulas, or even external tools to create clean, professional lists.

Let’s explore the best ways to insert bullet points in Google Sheets!

Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

The keyboard shortcut method allows you to insert bullet points directly into cells without needing extra tools or menus. It's fast and easy:

1. Click on a cell: Open your Google Sheets document and select the cell where you want to add a bullet point.

2. Use the shortcut: On Windows, press Alt + 7 on your numeric keypad to insert a bullet point (•). On Mac, press Option + 8 to achieve the same result.

3. Add text after the bullet: After inserting the bullet, type your desired text.

4. Repeat for multiple bullets: If you want to add multiple bullet points within a single cell, use the shortcut for each line. You can press Alt + Enter (Windows) or Option + Enter (Mac) to start a new line in the same cell, then repeat the shortcut to add more bullets.

Read more: How to hide columns in Google Sheets.

Method 2: Copy-Pasting Bullets From External Sources

If you’re looking for an easy way to insert professionally formatted bullet points, you can copy them from an external source like Google Docs or Word.

1. Create a bulleted list in an external tool: Open a text editor such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or even a website where you can generate a bulleted list. Create your list using their built-in bulleting feature.

   • In Google Docs, click the bulleted list icon (usually found in the toolbar) or press Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Windows) or Command + Shift + 8 (Mac).

   • In Microsoft Word, use the Bullets button in the "Paragraph" section.

2. Format your list: Add your desired items to the bulleted list. Ensure it looks exactly how you want it to appear in Google Sheets.

3. Copy the list: Highlight the bulleted text. Right-click and select Copy, or use the shortcut Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac).

4. Paste the bulleted list into Google Sheets: Go to your Google Sheets document and click on the cell where you want to paste the list. Paste the content using Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac).

5. Adjust the cell format (If necessary):If the list doesn’t align correctly, adjust the row height or text wrapping.

   • Select the cell, click Format > Text Wrapping, and choose Wrap to display all text within the cell.

   • Increase the row height by dragging the row boundary if the text appears cut off.

Method 3: Employing the CHAR Function

You can use the CHAR function in Google Sheets to generate special characters like bullet points. It converts numeric codes (called Unicode or ASCII values) into their corresponding symbols.

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

2. Enter the formula: Type the formula =CHAR(8226) and press Enter. This generates the bullet point symbol (•) in the cell.

   

3. Combine with text: If you want to add text along with the bullet point, you can concatenate (combine) the CHAR function with text. For example: =CHAR(8226) & " Task 1" displays • Task 1.

   

4. Apply to multiple cells: Drag the fill handle (a small square at the bottom-right corner of the selected cell) down or across to apply the formula to other cells. Each cell will display a bullet point, which you can combine with text as needed.

5. Creating lists in a single cell: If you want a bulleted list within one cell, use a combination of line breaks and the CHAR function. Here's an example: =CHAR(8226) & " Item 1" & CHAR(10) & CHAR(8226) & " Item 2" & CHAR(10) & CHAR(8226) & " Item 3"

   • Press Ctrl + Enter (Windows) or Cmd + Enter (Mac) to activate line breaks.

   • Ensure Wrap Text is enabled (go to Format > Wrapping > Wrap).

Method 4: Using Custom Number Formatting

The custom number formatting method is an advanced but highly efficient way to automatically add Google Sheets bullet points. This technique allows you to prepend a bullet symbol to text in your selected cells without manually typing it.

1. Select the cells: Open your Google Sheets document and highlight the cells where you want bullet points. You can select a single cell, a range of cells, or an entire column.

2. Access the custom number format menu: Click on Format in the top menu. From the dropdown, choose Number > Custom number format.

   

3. Enter the bullet point format: In the Custom number format box, type the following formula "• @" The • represents the bullet point, and the @ is a placeholder for the text in the cell.

4. Apply the formatting: Click Apply to save the changes. The selected cells will now automatically display a bullet point before any text you type.

   

5. Test the formatting: Enter text into one of the formatted cells, such as "Task 1". It will display as "• Task 1." If a cell is empty, it will remain blank, ensuring your sheet stays clean.

   

Method 5: Using Google Apps Script to Add Bullet Points

AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT can generate a Google Apps Script for you to insert bullets across selected cells. Here’s how to get it done:

1: Request a script.

You can ask ChatGPT: "Can you write a Google Apps Script to add bullet points to selected cells in Google Sheets?"

ChatGPT will provide a script like this:

function addBulletPoints() {

var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();

var range = sheet.getActiveRange();

var values = range.getValues();

for (var i = 0; i < values.length; i++) {

for (var j = 0; j < values[i].length; j++) {

if (values[i][j] !== "") {

values[i][j] = "• " + values[i][j];

}

}

}

range.setValues(values);

}

2: Set up the script.

• Open your Google Sheet.

• Go to Extensions > Apps Script.

• Paste the script provided by ChatGPT.

• Save it with a name like "Add Bullet Points."

3: Run the script.

• Highlight the range of cells where you want bullet points.

• Go to Extensions > Apps Script > Run Function > addBulletPoints.

Final Thoughts on "How To Add Bullet Points in Google Sheets"

Adding bullet points in Google Sheets helps you organize and present data clearly. Whether you prefer manual methods, formulas like CHAR, or advanced tools like Google Apps Script, there’s a solution to fit your needs. Experiment with these techniques to find the one that works best for your workflow and enhance your productivity!

For more easy-to-follow Excel guides and the latest Excel Templates, visit Simple Sheets and the related articles section of this blog post.

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FAQ on "How To Add Bullet Points in Google Sheets"

1. Can I add multiple bullet points in a single cell in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can use line breaks to create multiple bullet points within a single cell. Combine Alt + Enter (Windows) or Option + Enter (Mac) with the bullet symbol for each line.

2. Do I need coding skills to use Google Apps Script for bullet points?
No, you don’t need coding experience. You can copy a pre-written script provided by tools like ChatGPT and follow simple steps to implement it.

3. Is there a way to automate bullet points without a script?
Yes, you can use custom number formatting to automatically add bullet points before text. This method is simple and requires no additional tools or coding.

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