Best Practices for Word: Lists
Information may be placed into lists to emphasize the information, group the information, or represent the information in a certain order. Knowing why you are placing information in a list layout will allow you to select the correct type of list to use. Best Practices for lists are to create the list by using the Bullets and Numbering feature in Microsoft Word. By using this feature, the Accessibility Wizard recognizes the information as a list and will convert it properly. Best Practices does not support using special characters or fonts (such as Wingdings) and indenting a line to create a list. The information will not convert as a list and the Wizard may not recognize the the characters used to highlight the list.
Creating the Correct Type of List:
Unordered Lists
Unordered lists can also be referred to as bulleted items. This type of list
would include one or more list elements.
To create an Unordered List, enter each item on a new line in your document. Highlight all items that are to be included in the list. Go to FORMAT on the main top menu and select BULLETS AND NUMBERING. (If you do not see the BULLETS AND NUMBERING choice, the menu may be compressed. Select the arrow located at the bottom of the menu. This will cause the menu to expand and show all choices available.) This will open the Bullets and Numbering format box. As well, an icon is located on the Formatting toolbar as a shortcut to creating an Unordered List.
The Bullets and Numbering format box Bulleted Tab allows you to select the style of bullet for the Unordered List. The customize button is where you can change the attributes of the bullet including font, size, and margin indent. Select a bullet style and select OK. The highlighted information will now take on the bullet style you selected.
Ordered Lists
Ordered lists are used when a sequence of items is presented that would be
followed in a particular order. Ordered lists are used with directions, such
as the steps in a recipe. This type of list would include two or more list
elements.
To create an Ordered List, enter each item on a new line in your document. Highlight all items that are to be included in the list. Go to FORMAT on the main top menu and select BULLETS AND NUMBERING. (If you do not see the BULLETS AND NUMBERING choice, the menu may be compressed. Select the arrow located at the bottom of the menu. This will cause the menu to expand and show all choices available.) This will open the Bullets and Numbering format box. As well, an icon is located on the Formatting toolbar as a shortcut to creating an Ordered List.
The Bullets and Numbering format box Numbered Tab allows you to select the style of number for the Ordered List. The customize button is where you can change the attributes of the numbers including font, size, and margin indent. Select a number style and click OK. The highlighted information will now take on the number style you selected.
Other List Options
The Bullets and Numbering box also allows for the selection and editing of outlining styles and list types. When using these features, be sure to maintain Best Practices by avoiding special characters or fonts.
