Lining Up Numbered List Numbers

You already know how to create a numbered list using the built-in tools provided by Word. If you create a numbered list that has more than nine items in it, you may notice that your numbers for each item do not line up properly. For instance, the numbers are not lined up on the decimal point, as you might expect.

This condition is easy enough to fix. If you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007, follow these steps:

1. Select all of the items in the numbered list.
2. Choose Bullets and Numbering from the Format menu. Word displays the Bullets and Numbering dialog box with the Numbered tab selected. (Click here to see a related figure.) In addition, the numbering style applied to your selection is also highlighted.
3. Click your mouse on Customize. Word displays the Customize Numbered List dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Change the Number Position drop-down list to Right.
5. Click on OK.

If you are using Word 2007, follow these steps instead:

1. Select all of the items in the numbered list.
2. On the Home tab of the ruler, click the drop-down arrow at the right of the Numbering tool in the Paragraph group. Word displays a palette of options.
3. Click the Define New Number Format option. Word displays the Define New Number Format dialog box, and all the options in the dialog box should match whatever was set in the numbered list you selected in step 1. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Using the Alignment drop-down list, choose Right.
5. Click OK.