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How to Insert Bullet Points in Excel: Quick and Top Ways

Last Updated : 13 May, 2025
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Adding bullet points in Excel can make your data more organized and visually appealing, perfect for lists, notes, or presentations. Unlike word processors, Excel doesn’t have a built-in bullet button, but there are simple workarounds to achieve the same effect. This guide will walk you through easy methods to insert bullet points in Excel, helping you create clear, professional spreadsheets with minimal effort.

How-to-Insert-Bullet-Points-in-Excel
How to Insert Bullet Points in Excel

How to Insert Bullet Points in Excel

Inserting bullet points in Excel can be done in several ways, depending on your specific needs and the version of Excel you are using. Here we have provided some quick and easy ways to insert bullet points in Excel.

How to Add Bullet Points in Excel Using Shortcut Keys

Using shortcut keys is the most catchy and easy way to add standard bullet points in Excel. You will use two keys to create a bullet point i.e. Alt and a number. The number pressed should be from the numeric keypad of your computer. If you do not have a numeric keypad then simply turn on the Num Lock button and you can use the normal number keys on your keyboard. 

1. Add A Solid Bullet Point in Excel

Following are the steps to insert solid bullet points: 

Step 1: Select the cell in which you want to add a bullet point. Then double-click on it

Select the cell

Step 2: Press Alt + 7. Now, as soon as you will leave the Alt key, a solid bullet point will appear

Press Alt + 7 and a bullet appears

2. Add A Hollow Bullet Point in Excel

Following are the steps for hollow bullet points:

Step 1: Select the cell in which you want to add a bullet point. Then double-click on it

Select cell

Step 2: Press Alt + 9. Now, as soon as you will leave the Alt key, a hollow bullet point will appear

Press Alt + 9 and a hollow bullet point will appear

3. Add Multiple Bullet Points in a Single Cell in Excel

Following are the steps to print multiple bullet points in a single cell:

Step 1: Select the cell in which you want to add a bullet point. Then double-click on it

Select the desired cell

Step 2: Press Alt + 7 to create a solid bullet point. Now add the item you want

Press Alt + 7 to create solid bullet point

Step 3: Press Alt + Enter. Now, being in the same cell you will end up at a new line. Now, you can add multiple bullet points in a single cell

Press Alt + Enter to have line breakAdding bullet to new line.

4. Add Fancy Bullet Points in Excel

Despite adding the standard bullet points you can add fancy bullet points. Press Alt and any numeric number, and you will have different emojis appear.  Here is a small list of the fancy bullet points with their shortcut keys. 

Add Fancy Bullet Points in Excel

How to Add Bullet Points Using Symbols in Excel

You can also use the Symbols option in the Insert tab to add bullet points to your worksheet. It is very difficult to find the bullet symbol in such a huge list of symbols. So, you can also type the unique code provided for each symbol. We have compiled, the codes of the most commonly used bullet symbols. 

Symbol

Character code

•

2022

â—¦

25E6

â—Ź

25CF

â—Ś

25CC

â—‹

25CB

â—Š

25CA

â–«

25AB

â–Ş

25AA

â–ˇ

25A1

The following are the steps: 

Step 1: Go to the Insert Tab

 Go to the insert Tab

Step 2: Under Symbols group. Click on the Symbols option

Under Symbols group. Click on the Symbols option

Step 3: Symbols dialogue box appears. In the lower right corner, there is an option name Character code. You can add code according to your wish. For example, type 2022 in the character code. Now, click on Insert

Symbols Dialogue Box

Step 4: A black bullet point is inserted

A black bullet point is inserted

How to Add a Bullet Point By Copy-Paste

One of the very easy methods to insert a bullet in Excel is to copy it from Word/PowerPoint. Word/PowerPoint provides its users to insert a bullet in their slide with a single click. Excel has the power to copy the format of the selected text. The following are the steps: 

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word. Go to the Home tab, and click on the bullet list option. A bullet appears in the word sheet

Open Microsoft Word

Step 2: Write some text in front of the bullet. Copy the text

 Copy the text

Step 3: Go to Microsoft Excel and paste it. You will have the bullet with the written text

Go to Microsoft Excel and paste it

How to Add Bullets Points Using Functions 

This is not a much popular way to make bullets in Excel. But can be proved efficient when you want to convert a non-bulleted list into a bullet list, in just some clicks and functions. 

Note: The function " =char(number) " provides the character associated with that number. There is no need of remembering it. For example, " =char(149) " is for •(solid black bullet), " =char(171) " is for star bullet.

To Convert a non-bulleted list to a bullet list we will take the following example:

Given a list. Add bullets in front of each of them. 

Sample data

The following are the steps:

Step 1: Use the formula " =CHAR(149)&" "&(Selected cell) ". This formula joins the bullet point with any cell 

Adding bullet point with the text

Step 2: Press Enter

Press Enter

Step 3: Copy the formula to the cells C4:C9

Cop the formula to the cells C4:C9

Custom Number Formatting for Creating Bullet Points

One of the most popular methods is to auto-generate bullets in the cells of the worksheet. This method is useful when you have to add bullet points in large. Otherwise, the methods read above are preferred. 

Here are the following steps: 

Step 1: Select the cells in which you want to add custom number formatting. Press Ctrl + A to select the entire worksheet

Press Ctrl + A to select the entire worksheet

Step 2: Go to the Home tab, and in the number section, you can see a small down arrow. Click on it. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + 1. Format Cells dialogue box appears

Click on format Cells dialogue box

Step 3: In the Number tab, under the Custom section. Click on the editable Type

 Click on the editable Type

Step 4: Type • General; • General; • General; • General in your editable Type. Click Ok

Click Ok

Step 5: Type geeks in the cell and press Enter. The bullet appears automatically

Type geeks in the cell and press Enter.Bullet will appear

How to Insert Bullets Points in a Text Box

Inserting bullet points in a Text box can provide a more straightforward method to add bullets in Excel. Below is the step-by-step guide :

Step 1: Go to the Insert tab and click on the Text Box button in the Text Group

Text Box

Step 2: Insert a text box by clicking and dragging on the worksheet to define its size

Step 3: Type your list items inside the text box

List of items

Step 4: Select the line that you want to convert into bullet points

Step 5: Right-click on the selected lines and click on the small arrow next to the bullet points

Step 6: A drop-down menu will appear with various predefined bullet styles

Step 7: Choose your desired bullet style

Select the bullet style.

Note: You can also customize your own bullet type by clicking on Bullet and Numbering-> Customize.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding bullet points in Excel is easy and can make your spreadsheets look more organized and professional. You can use simple shortcuts like "Alt + 7" or "Alt + 9" on Windows and "Option + 8" on Mac, or go through the Symbol menu. Adding bullet points helps make your data clearer and more appealing, making a big difference in how your information is presented.


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