Lists

    • When using bulleted or numbered list styles to denote list structure is is essential that they are properly formatted. 
    • For visual users, lists break up the text and make it easier to read and skim a document.
    • Using list styles to format ensures consistent understanding across platforms.
    • Using bulleted or numbered lists helps screen readers understand the content structure and organization.
    • When a screen reader user encounters a list, the presence of a list is announced and tells the user how many items are in the list.

  • Use the Built-In List Tools

    When making a list, use the built-in list tool.   Doing this will format your list with the bullets of your choice, indents, and spacing. When formatted using the list tool, the list is tagged correctly and assistive technology will notify a user that there is a list with “x” number of items and let the user know what list item they are on.

    In Word and PowerPoint, here's how to do this:

    Home tab in the paragraph group showing how to select numbers and bullets

    1. On the Home tab.
    2. In the Paragraph group, select the Numbering or Bullets icon.
    3. Use Number lists if a sequential order is important to the list
    4. Use Bullet lists if all items are equal value.

  • Don't simply enter numbered lists by typing 1 enter, 2 enter, 3 enter, or use dashes in front of bulleted lists.  

    This will not format your list and the lists will not be tagged as a list. 

    There will be no meaning for a screen reader user. 

  • Bulleted or Unordered Lists

    Unordered lists, or bulleted lists, should be used for items that are related but have no particular order to them. For example, below is a list of schools within the Big10 Conference. Since the items are related, but the sequence in the list of items is not meaningful, use the bullet style.

    Big Ten Schools 

    • University of Illinois
    • Indiana University
    • University of Iowa
    • University of Maryland
    • University of Michigan
    • Michigan State University
    • University of Minnesota
    • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    • Northwestern University
    • Ohio State University
    • University of Oregon
    • Pennsylvania State University
    • Purdue University
    • Rutgers University-New Brunswick
    • University of California Los Angeles
    • University of Southern California
    • University of Washington
    • University of Wisconsin-Madison

    When choosing a bulleted style:

    • Use standard bullet points
    • Avoid the use of characters and symbols. 
    • Avoid relying on visual cues within a formatted list, such as checkmarks and empty boxes because this information is not always conveyed consistently across assistive technologies.

    Numbered or Ordered Lists

    Ordered lists, or numbered lists, should be used for items that are related and have a specific order to them, such as a sequence or process. For example, below is a list of the Top 5 Big Ten Schools in order of population.

    Top 5 Big Ten Schools by Student Population

    1. Ohio State University
    2. University of Minnesota
    3. Michigan State University
    4. Rutgers University
    5. University of Illinois

    Nested Lists

    A nested list, or a list that occurs within another list, can be used in your content when necessary. To build on the example used previously, if listing out schools within the Big10 Conference based on student population and you wanted to include the number of men, women, and overall population numbers for each university, use a nested list as shown below. In this example, it is an ordered list using the number style, followed by a bulleted list style.

    Top 3 Big Ten Schools by Student Population and Gender

    1. Ohio State University
      • Men: 30,395
      • Women: 30,775
      • Total Population: 61,170
    2. University of Minnesota
      • Men: 23,462
      • Women: 27,272
      • Total Population: 50,734
    3. Michigan State University
      • Men: 24,237
      • Women: 26,114
      • Total Population: 50,351