Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Underlining Tabs In Numbered Lists.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 5, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, and 2013
Hans wonders how he can underline the tab space between a number and the text in an automatic numbered list. He can underline the number, but he can't figure out how to underline the tab itself.
The short answer is that there is no way to underline that tab that is inserted in an automatic numbered list. The best solution is to skip using automatic lists and, instead, rely on styles. Create a style for your numbered lists and you can define exactly how the tab character should be treated—including using an underline leader, if desired.
Once the style is defined you can apply it to all your numbered list items, and then either use a manual numbering of the items (typing in the numbers yourself) or relying on the SEQ field to do the numbering for you. (How you use the SEQ field has been covered in other issues of WordTips.)
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (9955) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Underlining Tabs In Numbered Lists.
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2019-11-21 08:52:05
George
In 2010 it can be done.
Home --> Numbering -->Define new numbering format.
After the number or after . / ) etc give it a CTRL+TAB. It will appear the Format tab pan, and there select the underlined style that you wish.
If you don't want to do this every time, just create a new doc with this numbering format and then, next time you need it just open it and use the "brush" to apply it
2015-07-17 11:30:22
Liz
Dear Brad, you are a lifesaver! Thank you!
2015-05-18 22:33:18
Brad
"...there is no way to underline that tab that is inserted in an automatic numbered list"
Not true. In Word 2010:
File, Options, Advanced, expand Layout Options (scroll all the way to the bottom), check "Underline tab character in numbered lists."
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
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