Forum Discussion

Steven Tolboe's avatar
Steven Tolboe
Iron Contributor
Apr 25, 2018

Can't indent bullet point lists in PowerPoint for Mac

If I insert a text box into a slide and create a bullet point list, I am unable to indent sub-bullet text. However, I am able to indent non-bullet point text. I am also able to indent a bullet point ...
powerpoint
Peak_Kurt's avatar
Peak_Kurt
Copper Contributor
Nov 12, 2019

Steven Tolboe 

I use Powerpoint for Mac Version 16.16.14 and can't set up an indent on the second line of the bullet.  Very annoying.  Are there any workarounds?

It would be helpful to have ALL of the functionality, like the Paragraph Dialog Box and multiple indent options.

gillianbolde's avatar
gillianbolde
Copper Contributor
Jun 15, 2020

Peak_Kurt - I'm having the same problem (version 16.37). The only workaround I've found is to force the bullet to indent by moving the indents on the ruler. Then I use the format painter for any subsequent indented bullets (under regular bullets later in the slide).

  • Lcross295's avatar
    Lcross295
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 28, 2020

    gillianbolde  I am having the same issue. I just purchased the latest  Apple Pro and I can not add or intent bullets in PowerPoint. What is the solution? Does any one have any suggestions? 

    • Steve Rindsberg's avatar
      Steve Rindsberg
      Brass Contributor
      Jul 30, 2020

      Lcross295 

      You can tab to get second/third/fourth/etc level bulleted text as long as the text is in a text or content placeholder (one of the shapes that contains e.g. "Click here to ..." when it's empty).  Tabbing doesn't work to change bullet indent level in regular inserted text box shapes. Never has.

      I don't have a Mac version of PPT handy, but in the Windows version, there are Increase List Level and Decrease List Level buttons in the Paragraph group of the Home tab.

      Using those won't get you to bullet points quite as efficiently as with text in placeholders, but they'll get you there.

       

       

       
      • RicHughen's avatar
        RicHughen
        Copper Contributor
        Mar 30, 2021
        Steve, this is the solution. I am on a MacBook Pro with Office 2010. When you delete the default box saying "Click here to .." and put your own bullets via the Home menu, you lose the auto indent feature. I solved by following Steve's lead and opening a new PPT from scratch with working bullets and indents. Note: If you drag this into your presentation w/o indent capability you will lose it again. However, if type in some text with indents and then you copy paste the whole box into your existing ppt, then the auto indent feature remains. Then duplicate slide keeps it going. Thanks. Ric
    • MikDo's avatar
      MikDo
      Copper Contributor
      Jul 28, 2020

      Lcross295 From within the pane that you want to add bullet points, go to the PowerPoint home tab to something else. I am able to get bullet points in a title and content slide layout, and I know there are bullet point layouts as well. You may have to change the layout on a slide by slide basis to get them to act right, but the title and content slide seems to be pretty universal for me.

Resources