Tab key in Microsoft Word does not increase indent in bullet lists

Question

I create a bullet list, of any type and after pressing Enter then Tab instead of increasing the indent it just injected white-space.

I'm using the default template (.dot), there's been no changes to it, can't see any misconfigured settings for this either...

Note: this is happening in Word 2007.

Solution 1

One possibility is AutoCorrect settings were changed.

To fix this, click the Microsoft Office button, select Word Options. Under Proofing, click AutoCorrect Options.... Under AutoFormat As You Type tab (in the Automatically as you type section), make sure that the "Set left- and first-indent with tabs and backspaces" option is checked.

Solution 2

Use Alt+Shift+Right Arrow. You're welcome.

Solution 3

Alternatively, you might want to try increasing the indent with ctrl+M and decreasing the indent with ctrl+shift+M.

These are the keyboard shortcuts for the "increase indent" and "decrease indent" toolbar buttons.

Comments

[TheModularMind]

The "left and first indent" setting is the one causing the OP's problem specifically, so +1 for that. The other settings do "smart" things like changing text to a bullet list if you start with a tab and a dash for example. They don't impact or cause the problem as described.

[Nick Josevski]

YES! Well done, nice find. Thanks that did it. I've uploaded an image if you'd like to edit your answer, otherwise I'll link here anyway: nickjosevski.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/…

[Marnix]

I am having the same problem in Powerpoint 2010, but the AutoCorrect options are different: superuser.com/questions/367843/… and I can't use ctrl + M, because they are already in use for new slide.

[Mike_K]

Strange that in office 2010, this does indent, but it does not change the formatting of the bullet. From level 1 to level 2 it's still a black bullet, not the hollowed out white one.

[james.garriss]

For Word 2011 on the Mac, this option is found in Tools > Autocorrect... > Autoformat as You Type > Tabs and backspace set left indent.

[james.garriss]

Doesn't work for Word 2011 for Mac.

[Jimmy]

On Windows, this is the best option. Unlike ctrl+shift+M, the bullets are properly formatted.

[Tom Anderson]

@james-garriss Mac doesn't have Alt key... But Control+Shift+M should work superuser.com/a/460183/259273 (other posts suggest Shift+Control+Arrow keys)

[Paul-Sebastian Manole]

The correct solution on Mac is Shift+Control+Arrow keys. Control-Shift-M only inserts tabs.

[kojow7]

This answer has nothing to do with the OP's question. The OP was talking about using the TAB key with a bulleted list.

[anatolyg]

Why the heck does this work and everything else doesn't?? (I wish someone could edit this answer to add more info, but it's kinda hopeless)

[shivamag00]

In my case, the option is already enabled but still TAB does increase indent Level. Someone, please help