Using lists can organize and order content in your document. Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs allow you to create multi-level lists. Lists can be modified to fit many purposes and personal styles. From official outlines to custom bullets, lists can add a lot to a document.
If you are beginning this course at this point, you will need to access the practice document.
If working in Microsoft Word, you will download and extract the document.
For detailed instructions on downloading and extracting files in Google Chrome or Firefox, visit Getting Started with Exercise Files.
In Google Docs, you will copy the practice document to your Google Drive.
Right-click Copy practice document, Click Open link in new window
The file begins to open in a new window of the web browser. Before the document will open and can be edited, we need to make a copy of it.
Move to the new browser window.
Click 
A copy of the file is now open and, by default, is saved in your Google Drive. The filename now has the words "Copy of" at the beginning.
When adding a list to a document, take care to utilize the built-in list tool. This will ensure that your list is identified as a list by screen reading software.
Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs have automatic list features. To create a list, you can begin the first line with "1." Subsequent lines will number in order. Alternatively, you can type your list and then apply the list formatting. As items are added, removed, or rearranged, the list will automatically update.
Towards the end of the document is a numbered list of wildflowers that are recommended for use in landscaping. Phlox is the fourth plant listed. However, there are several types of phlox. Let's add the more specific names to the list. These names will be nested under the more general "Phlox."
Click at the end of the fourth item in the numbered list
Enter key
Pressing the Enter key at the end of the fourth list item automatically renumbers the existing list and adds a place for a new fifth item.
We want to add specific types of phlox under the more general entry, Phlox. These specific names will be nested under the fourth list item.
Click in the line for the fifth list item
Tab key
Blue Phlox
Enter Key, type: Summer Phlox
Enter Key, type: Creeping Phlox
The nested list items have been lettered. The list looks like this: 
NOTE: The list may appear split across two pages.
Now that the nested items have been added to the list, let's explore some of the formatting options available. Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs allow us to change the type of list at any point.
Press & drag from "Blue" to "Catchfly"
In Microsoft Word, on the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, Click 
, Click 
In Google Docs, on the toolbar, Click 
, Click 
The list has been modified to use parentheses instead of periods after the numbers.
In Microsoft Word, periods are still used after the nested list items.
In Google Docs, the nested items are also followed by parenthesis.
Not all lists need to be numbered. The list of wildflowers is in alphabetical order, but the use of a numbered list may make it appear as if the flowers at the top of the list are more important than the flowers towards the bottom. In this case, a bulleted list would be a better fit. Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs move easily between numbered and bulleted lists.
Press & drag from "Blue" to "Catchfly"
In Microsoft Word, on the Home tab, Click 
In Google Docs, on the toolbar, Click 
The list is bulleted.
The type of bullets used in a bulleted list can be changed. As always, when making visual changes, keep in mind your subject matter and audience. The flashier bullets may seem like fun, but may not convey the tone of your report.
In Microsoft Word, on the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, Click 
, Click any bullet in the Bullet Library
In Google Docs, on the toolbar, Click 
, Click any of the bulleted list options
Now that you've made the change to the bullets, you may decide that you want to return to the default style. Let's undo the formatting.
In Microsoft Word, on the Quick Access Toolbar, Click 
In Google Docs, on the toolbar, Click 
The bulleted list now uses the default bullet style.
The bulleted list is complete. However, the nested items under Phlox are not in alphabetical order. Let's reorder the list.
The steps for reordering the list are different for Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Microsoft Word has a sort tool that will quickly sort selected text alphabetically. Google Docs does not have a similar tool.
Press & drag from Blue Phlox to Creeping Phlox
Click 
The Sort Text dialog box opens:
This dialog box gives us several options for sorting text. We can choose what to sort, the type of data being sorted, and how to sort. There are options for multi-level sorts as well as more advanced options.
We want to sort the selected paragraphs in ascending order. This is the default type of sort.
Click 
Click in a blank area of the document
Google Docs does not have a built-in sorting tool. To alphabetize the nested list items, we will cut and paste individual items until they are in the correct order.
Triple-click the text
Click the Edit menu, Click Cut
The text has been cut, but the following text, Queen of the Prairie, has moved up. Let's paste Creeping Phlox in the correct place and then fix any problems.
Click before Summer Phlox
Click the Edit menu, Click Paste
Click in a blank area of the document
The list is now in alphabetical order:
