How to Insert Bullet Points in Google Sheets (4 Easy Ways)

Watch The Video – 4 Ways to Insert Bullet Points In Google Sheets

If you are moving from Microsoft Word or Google Docs to Google Sheets, you might be confused by a missing feature. In those applications, adding a bulleted list is as simple as clicking a button in the toolbar. However, Google Sheets does not have a native “Insert Bullet List” button.

This limitation exists because Google Sheets treats cell content primarily as data (numbers, formulas, strings) rather than rich text document formatting. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

Whether you are creating a project tracker, a daily to-do list, or simply trying to make your data easier to read, there are several effective workarounds to insert bullet points in Google Sheets.

In this comprehensive guide updated for 2026, we will cover every method available. That includes easy manual methods like keyboard shortcuts for single cells and more advanced formulas for automating entire columns. Each includes simple steps, showing the exact workflows with examples.

Quick Summary: Which Method Should You Use?

Before diving into the steps, use this table to decide which method is best for your specific situation.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcuts (The Fastest Way)

If you just need to add a few bullet points to a presentation or a quick list, mastering the keyboard shortcut is the most efficient skill you can learn.

However, the shortcut changes depending on whether you are using a Windows Desktop, a Windows Laptop (without a number pad), or a Mac.

Scenario A: Windows with a Numeric Keypad

If you have a full-sized keyboard with a number pad on the right side, you can use “Alt Codes”. These are specific key combinations that tell Windows to insert a special character.

1. Select the cell where you want the bullet.
2. Enter Edit Mode by double-clicking the selected cell or pressing F2.
3. Hold down the ALT key.
4. While holding ALT, press 7 on the numeric keypad.
5. Release the ALT key. The bullet (•) will appear.

Other Useful Alt Codes:

• Alt + 9 = ○ (Hollow bullet)
• Alt + 254 = ■ (Square bullet)
• Alt + 16 = ► (Arrow)

Scenario B: Windows Laptop (No Numeric Keypad)

Most modern laptops (Dell XPS, Surface, HP Spectre) have ditched the numeric keypad to save space. On these devices, the Alt + 7 method often fails. Instead, use the Windows Symbol Picker.

1. Double-click the cell to edit it.
2. Press the Windows Key + . (Period key) simultaneously.
3. A small window will pop up with emojis and symbols.
4. Click the “Ω” symbol icon at the top of the window to see special characters.
5. Scroll down or type “bullet” to find the dot. Click it to insert.

Scenario C: Mac Users

Apple keyboards handle special characters differently. You do not need to worry about numeric keypads here.

• Option + 8: Inserts a standard bullet (•).
• Option + Shift + 9: Inserts a varying bullet style depending on the font.

How to Create a Bulleted List Inside ONE Cell

A common frustration is trying to make a list inside a single cell. If you press “Enter”, Google Sheets moves you to the next cell down. To stay in the same cell and create a new line:

1. Insert your first bullet point using the shortcuts above.
2. Type your text.
3. Press Alt + Enter (Windows) or Cmd + Enter (Mac).
4. This creates a “Line Break.”
5. Insert your next bullet and repeat.

Method 2: The CHAR Formula (For Bulk Lists)

Imagine you have a list of 50 grocery items in Column A. Going through and pressing “Alt + 7” fifty times would be incredibly tedious. This is where formulas save the day.

Every character on your computer has a unique numeric code (Unicode). The code for a bullet point is 8226. We can use the CHAR function to call this code.

Basic Formula

If your text is in cell A1, enter this formula in cell B1:

=CHAR(8226) & " " & A1

Breakdown of the formula:

• CHAR(8226): Generates the bullet symbol (•).
• &: This is the concatenation operator. It glues pieces of text together.
• " ": This adds a space between the bullet and your word so they aren’t squashed together.
• A1: The cell containing your data.

Advanced: Using ARRAYFORMULA

If you have hundreds of items, you don’t even need to drag the formula down. You can fill the whole column instantly with an array formula.

=ARRAYFORMULA(IF(A2:A<>"", CHAR(8226) & " " & A2:A, ""))

This formula checks if there is text in column A. If there is, it adds a bullet. If column A is empty, it leaves the cell blank.

Important Note on Formulas:
The result of this method is a formula. If you delete the original data in Column A, your bulleted list in Column B will break. To fix this, you should “Paste as Values”:

1. Select your new bulleted list in Column B.
2. Press Ctrl + C (Copy).
3. Right-click on the same selection.
4. Choose Paste Special > Values only.

Now you have a static text list with bullets, and you can safely delete Column A.

Method 3: Custom Number Formatting (The “Auto-Bullet” Trick)

This is arguably the “coolest” method because it feels like a native feature. By using Custom Number Formatting, you can tell Google Sheets to automatically display a bullet point whenever you type text into a cell.

Unlike the Formula method, this does not require a second column. It applies directly to the cell you are typing in.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Select the range of cells (or the entire column) where you want lists to appear.
2. In the top menu, go to Format.
3. Select Number > Custom number format.
4. A dialogue box will appear with a text input field. Paste the following syntax:

• @

5. Click Apply.

How Does This Work?

In Google Sheets custom formatting syntax, the @ symbol acts as a placeholder for “Text”.

By writing • @, you are telling Google Sheets: “Put a bullet point, then a space, and then display whatever text the user types.”

Benefits of this method:

• Clean Data: The bullet point is purely visual. If you look at the formula bar at the top, you will see it only contains “Milk”, not “• Milk”. This is crucial if you plan to use this data for VLOOKUPs or sorting later.
• Consistency: You can apply this format to an entire column so every new entry is automatically styled.

Method 4: Copy & Paste (And Where to Find Unique Symbols)

Sometimes the standard round dot isn’t enough. You might want a checkmark, a star, or an arrow to signify different statuses in your project tracker.

Quick Copy-Paste Bank

You can copy these symbols directly from this article and paste them into your sheet:

Using Google Docs to Find Symbols

Since Google Sheets lacks a “Insert Symbol” menu, you can borrow the one from Google Docs.

1. Open a blank Google Doc.
2. Go to Insert > Special characters.
3. This opens a drawing board. You can actually draw the symbol you want with your mouse (like a diamond or a skull), and Google will find it for you.
4. Click the symbol to insert it into the Doc.
5. Copy the symbol.
6. Switch back to your Google Sheet and Paste it.

Method 5: The 2026 Alternative (Checkboxes & Dropdowns)

Since you are looking for bullet points, it is likely you are creating a list of items to track. In 2026, Google Sheets offers features that are often better than simple bullets for task tracking.

Consider using Checkboxes instead:

1. Select your cells.
2. Go to Insert > Checkbox.

This gives you an interactive box you can click to toggle on and off. This is far superior for to-do lists than a static bullet point.

Troubleshooting: Why is Alt + 7 Not Working?

We hear this question often. You are following the steps, holding Alt, pressing 7, but nothing happens—or worse, your browser does something unexpected.

Here are the three most common fixes:

1. Enable Compatible Spreadsheet Shortcuts

Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) have their own shortcuts that sometimes conflict with Google Sheets. Google has a setting to override this.

1. Open your spreadsheet.
2. Go to the Help menu in the top bar.
3. Select Keyboard shortcuts.
4. At the bottom of the window, look for the toggle switch named “Enable compatible spreadsheet shortcuts”.
5. Turn it ON.

2. Check your NumLock

The Alt code method strictly requires the numeric keypad (the calculator-style keys on the right). It will not work with the number row above your letters. Ensure the NumLock light is on.

3. You are in “Cell Navigation” mode, not “Edit” mode

If you single-click a cell and try to type, you are selecting the cell. You must double-click the cell (or press F2) to see the blinking cursor inside it before the shortcut will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of the bullet point?
If you use the Shortcut or Formula method, the bullet is just text. You can change its color using the text color picker in the toolbar. However, the bullet will be the same color as the text following it. You cannot have a red bullet and black text in the same cell easily without complex scripting.

How do I remove bullet points?
If you used the Custom Formatting method (Method 3), simply select the cells and go to Format > Number > Automatic. If you manually typed them (Method 1), you will have to delete them manually or use the “Find and Replace” tool (Ctrl + H) to replace the “•” symbol with nothing.

Do bullet points affect sorting?
Yes! If you physically insert a bullet (Method 1 or 2), Google Sheets sees “• Apple” as the value. Since the symbol “•” has a specific sort order, it might affect how your data is alphabetized. This is why Method 3 (Custom Formatting) is superior for data sets, as it ignores the bullet during sorting.

Wrapping Up

While the lack of a simple button is annoying, Google Sheets offers plenty of flexibility for creating lists. Whether you choose the speed of keyboard shortcuts, the power of formulas, or the automation of custom formatting, you now have a solution for every scenario.

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