How To Add Bullet Points in Google Slides

Presenting your content in bullet points can help your audience absorb its meaning more easily. Specifically, you can use bullets to emphasize details or make them more scannable. Here’s a quick guide on how to add bullet points in Google Slides:

1. Highlight your text.
2. Click the “Bulleted list” option in the Slides toolbar.
3. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Windows) or Command + Shift + 8 (Mac) on your keyboard.

There are various other ways to insert bullet points on Google Slides. We’ll cover these below, along with tips on selecting your bullet style, adding sub-bullets, and inserting bullet points in the Google Slides mobile app.

How To Add Bullet Points in Google Slides

It’s easy to insert bullets in your Google Slides presentation. All you have to do is click the bullet button in the platform’s toolbar. To put bullet points in a Google Slide:

1. Open your Google Slides file and navigate to the specific slide you want to add a bulleted list to.
2. Ensure that each piece of information is entered on a separate line.
3. Highlight your text.

4. On the Google Slides toolbar, click the icon for “Bulleted list.”

5. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + 8 on your Windows keyboard (or Command + Shift + 8 for Mac).

Note: You can also access your bullet point options in the “Format” menu. Simply select “Format” > “Bullets & numbering” > “Bulleted list menu.”

Related: Insert Bullet Points in Google Sheets (Easy 5 Min Guide)

Choosing Another Bullet Style

Google Slides also allows you to select your bullet style. As of this writing, it offers six presets to choose from.

1. Highlight the text you want to use as bullet points.
2. Click the drop-down arrow beside the “Bulleted list” icon in the toolbar.
3. Select one from the six presets displayed.

You can also go a step further by customizing your bullet style. There’s a way for you to configure which symbols and icons would appear on your list:

1. Go to “Format” > “Bullets & numbering” > “List options” > “More bullets”

2. Choose your preferred option from the “Insert special characters” panel.

3. Close the panel and see your customized bullet style.

How To Make a Numbered List in Google Slides

When presenting information that follows a certain order — like the steps in a recipe — using a numbered list would be more appropriate than a regular bulleted list. The process of inserting one is pretty much the same as the other:

1. Highlight the items you want to include in your numbered list.
2. On the Google Slides toolbar, click the icon for “Numbered list” (denoted by lines with numbers on the left).

3. Or, you can press Ctrl + Shift + 7 on your Windows keyboard (or Command + Shift + 7 for Mac).
4. To select a specific preset for your numbered list, click the drop-down arrow beside it instead.
5. Choose any option from the drop-down.

How To Insert Sub-Bullet Points in Google Slides

Sub-bullet points are key for subtopics that fall under a broader one. They’re easy to insert: Just indent them to the right with one of two easy methods.

By Adjusting Your Indentation Options

If it works on your computer, the “Tab” key can be used to adjust the indent. You can also access your indentation options in the Google Slides toolbar:

1. Navigate to the bulleted list where you want to add sub-bullets.
2. Insert an empty bullet by pressing “Enter” or “Return” on your keyboard.

3. Click the icon for “Increase indent” in the toolbar. Alternatively, press Ctrl + ] on your Windows keyboard (or Command + ] for Mac).

4. Now, insert the information in your sub-bullet point.

By Using the Ruler

You can also manually adjust the position of your bullet points using the ruler feature in Google Slides. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Display your ruler by clicking “View” > “Show ruler.”

2. Insert your content in your list as regular bullet points first.
3. Highlight the specific points you want to use as sub-bullets.

4. Drag the blue-colored “Left Indent” marker on the ruler to the right.
5. Adjust the marker’s position as needed.

How To Put Bullet Points in the Google Slides Mobile App

If you’re planning to edit your presentation on your phone, follow these steps:

1. Open your presentation and go to the slide where you want to add bullet points.
2. Highlight your text, then tap the icon for “Bulleted list” in the quick toolbar.

3. To access more options for your bullet points, tap “Format” at the top (denoted by a capital letter A).

4. Switch to the “Paragraph” tab.
5. Choose the appropriate icon for a numbered or bulleted list.

6. Tap the right arrows beside the icons to select a specific bullet style.

Note: Depending on your device’s operating system, your interface may look different. Regardless, the options available in the Google Slides app are similar across most devices.

Useful Shortcuts When Inserting Google Slides Bullet Points

Note: For Mac users, press the Command button instead of Ctrl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Google Slides Lists Work in Microsoft PowerPoint?

The lists in your Google Slides presentation should work seamlessly if you’re using Microsoft PowerPoint.

To ensure your file is compatible, download your slides by clicking “File” > “Download” > “Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx).”

How Do You Change the Bullet Distance in Google Slides?

To edit the bullet points, simply highlight the bullet points you want to modify.

Select “Format” > “Line & paragraph spacing.” Next, choose your preferred spacing option (e.g., Single, 1.5, or Double).

Note: You can also find these options conveniently located in the Slides toolbar (beside the “Bulleted list” option).

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to take your presentations to the next level? Follow our guide above on how to add bullet points in Google Slides — you’ll be all set!

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