To remove numbering from an existing list in Word while keeping its words, select the numbered paragraphs, then choose Home > Numbering to turn off list formatting. To stop Word from continuing a list as you type, press Enter twice instead; to prevent automatic list creation in the future, change Word’s AutoFormat setting.
Remove numbering from an existing list
- Select the numbered paragraphs you want to change. Select the whole list to turn all its items into ordinary paragraphs, or select only the items that should lose their numbers.
- On the Home tab, click Numbering in the paragraph or list controls to switch off list formatting. In Word for Mac, Microsoft describes the control as Bullets or Numbering.
- Check the result. The text remains, but list indentation or paragraph spacing may change along with the list formatting.
Control wording and layout can vary between Word versions and platforms. Microsoft’s Mac instructions specifically say to select the line and choose Home > Bullets or Numbering to turn off list formatting: Microsoft Support: Create a bulleted or numbered list in Word for Mac.
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Stop a list from continuing while you type
If you are at the end of a list and want the next paragraph to be normal text, press Enter twice. This ends list continuation at the cursor; it is not the same as removing numbering from paragraphs that are already formatted as a list.
In Word for the web, Microsoft also documents pressing Backspace to remove the final list number or bullet: Microsoft Support: Create a bulleted or numbered list in Word for the web.
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Stop Word from creating numbered lists automatically
If Word turns typed text into a numbered list when you do not want one, disable automatic numbered lists. This setting affects future typing; it does not remove numbering from an existing list.
- In Word for Windows desktop, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
- Open AutoFormat As You Type.
- Clear Automatic numbered lists, then select OK.
Microsoft documents this Windows setting for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. See Microsoft Support: Turn automatic numbered lists on or off.
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Choose the fix for your situation
| What is happening | What to do | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| An existing list has numbers you want to remove | Select the relevant paragraphs, then choose Home > Numbering. | Turns off list formatting for the selection; the text remains. |
| You are typing and want the next paragraph outside the list | Press Enter twice. In Word for the web, Backspace can remove the last number. | Stops list continuation at the cursor. |
| Word keeps turning typed text into numbered lists | Clear Automatic numbered lists in AutoFormat As You Type. | Changes automatic list recognition for future typing. |
Make sure these are list numbers
The Numbering button applies to numbers attached to list paragraphs. Page numbers and line numbers are separate features with different controls: page numbers are managed through Insert > Page Numbers, while line numbers are managed through Layout > Line Numbers. Microsoft provides separate guidance for removing page numbers and adding or removing line numbers.
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