# Text Before Bullet Points **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 16, 2011, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234 "2011-07-16T12:22:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/77aa72/32.png) [@Cort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cort)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/1 "2011-07-16T12:22:50Z")
Is there any way I can insert some text BEFORE a bullet point on Microsoft Word or Open Office? I’m doing my CV and for a very important stylistic reason, I want to format my CV thusly: TEXTTEXTTEXTTEXT \ MORE TEXT TEXTTEXTTEXTTEXT \ MORE TEXT TEXTTEXTTEXTTEXT \ MORE TEXT And so on. Unfortunately, whenever I try, Open Office automatically slaps the fucking bullet point right at the very beginning of the line BEFORE the text. This simply will not do. I need to format this very specifically. Is there ANY way to do it? I’ve tried every work around I can think of any nothing works. Not for nothing, but if I don’t get this sorted I’m gonna don my kamikazi gear and start firebombing. Srsly bro. This is massively pissing me off. Any help will be enormously appreciated. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/2 "2011-07-16T12:39:26Z")
On a Mac, I would just manually insert the bullet using option 8. Of course, you only get one size bullet. I don’t know any other way. I assume a PC has it’s own key combination for it. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/3 "2011-07-16T12:50:56Z")
In what sense is the thing you want a bullet point? Can’t you just insert a blob character at the point in the line where you want it (and maybe use tabs to get things to line up right, if that is an issue)? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/4 "2011-07-16T13:15:06Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > On a Mac, I would just manually insert the bullet using option 8. Of course, you only get one size bullet. I don’t know any other way. I assume a PC has it’s own key combination for it. You can also insert a Special Character anywhere you want as text. In Word, and mind you I’m using _Word:Mac 2008_, you can use Insert\>Symbol\>(choose symbol)\>Click “Insert”. I’m not sure that whatever version of Word on a PC will do this, but that’s my 2¢. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/5 "2011-07-16T13:23:41Z")
I’m with the two previous posters – you don’t want a bullet point, which is something that goes at the beginning of a line, but a character that _looks_ like a bullet point. Use Word’s **Insert Character…** menu; it should have something you like. _ETA: shakes fist at **DCnDC** You weren’t here when I started!_ ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/6 "2011-07-16T13:33:57Z")
Do the bullet points all need to line up still? Would a using a table or columns work for what you’re trying to do? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/7 "2011-07-16T13:46:59Z")
> [@vd](#): > > Do the bullet points all need to line up still? Would a using a table or columns work for what you’re trying to do? Yes, I think a table would be the easiest way to do what the OP wants. Resumes should always be done with tables anyway, because you need to change them so much. What **DCnDC** and **StephenG** say is also a a solution, but be careful, because even when you insert a character, Word will _think_ you want to make a bullet point, and convert the formatting automatically if you’re not careful–usually it does that when you put a CR in. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/8 "2011-07-16T14:49:09Z")
Holding down the Alt key and typing 0149 on the numeric keypad (doesn’t work with the numbers above the letters) will insert • into the text. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/9 "2011-07-16T15:00:34Z")
Would it help if the OP gave an example of what he’s seeking to do? I cannot for the life of me imagine why one might want the bullet points “in the middle” of a set of listed items; the best I can come up with is a list of colleges attended, with degrees taken set off at the end by bullets. But I’d still format that as a bulleted list, with the degrees bolded or otherwise emphasized. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/10 "2011-07-16T16:45:43Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Would it help if the OP gave an example of what he’s seeking to do? I cannot for the life of me imagine why one might want the bullet points “in the middle” of a set of listed items… I think it may be for something akin to the following fictional example: > [@](#): > > John Q. Smith > Butcher • Baker • Candlestick Maker … which I could easily see heading a CV, as the OP intends. If that’s the case, then I join the others who recommend the “Insert Symbol” command in Word. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/11 "2011-07-17T02:32:04Z")
Except they want the symbols to line up vertically so there must be more to it. In that case a table is the only way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/12 "2011-07-17T04:53:44Z")
> [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](#): > > Except they want the symbols to line up vertically so there must be more to it. In that case a table is the only way to do it. Why not use tabs? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/13 "2011-07-17T06:20:24Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > If that’s the case, then I join the others who recommend the “Insert Symbol” command in Word. The OP could be referring to the “imaginary space” in which bullet symbols appear. The symbol (or number) that you see in a bullet isn’t actually there as text–it’s only there “in theory.” It’s impossible for anything else to be inserted into that space, because that space doesn’t really exist as a place for text to be. I’ve had the same frustration myself. The only solution I’ve found is to not use the automatic bullet feature, and just make hanging indents, with tabs. You need to create each bullet separately as a symbol (or number) between the two blocks of text. It can look like [this](http://postimage.org/image/32b2pfgec/). This means that if you have a list of numbers, of course, they won’t change automatically to be in the correct sequence–but that’s probably not what the OP wants for a resume. Otherwise, use tables, where the first column has the first block of text, and the second has the bullets. ---
**Author:** ![Zany\_Zeolite\_Zipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zany\_Zeolite\_Zipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zany_Zeolite_Zipper)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/14 "2011-07-17T11:35:39Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Yes, I think a table would be the easiest way to do what the OP wants. Resumes should always be done with tables anyway, because you need to change them so much. > > What **DCnDC** and **StephenG** say is also a a solution, but be careful, because even when you insert a character, Word will _think_ you want to make a bullet point, and convert the formatting automatically if you’re not careful–usually it does that when you put a CR in. Some companies use an application system that doesn’t work well with tables. You know those systems that tell you to upload a resume, and then it pulls all of your personal data out of the file? That was a few years ago, and since then I’ve been writing my resume in a format that is easy to convert to plain text; maybe the systems have gotten better since then. These systems also show you what your resume looks like in plain text. The companies say that creating a plain text version of your resume enables their system to search your resume. However, I don’t know if a human will look at the plain text version or your uploaded version. It probably behooves us to make the plain text version attractive, just in case a human does look at the plain version. A few companies are allowing you to upload an HTML version for your plain text resume. One company I applied to had an option to set my title as His or Her Majesty; I think Halliburton had this option. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/15 "2011-07-17T18:32:53Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Why not use tabs? I suppose one could, although that seems like a huge PITA for more than a couple of static lines. Changing any of the words might require the whole thing to be re-tabbed although it may just be necessary on the edited row. Assuming a dynamic, multi-line CV, a table seems superior, **Zany Zeolite Zipper** ’s example\* excepted. Create the table, select the column for the bullet char. and fill. Fill in the other fields and select the alignment for each column. A Table also isolates the layout from unexpected changes due to editing other parts of the document. Want to change something? Anything? A table will take care of the reformatting for you. \*IMO, chances are good that a company that would accept a CV or resume in the OP’s desired format uses eyeballs and not an automated tool. Sez who? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/16 "2011-07-17T19:16:47Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Why not use tabs? You could but it would be easier with a table as that would isolate everything and make pasting easier. ---
**Author:** ![mitch54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@mitch54](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mitch54)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/17 "2013-01-02T16:09:37Z")
I have a similar questions. I am creating a test that has to have an asterisk before the correct answer. When I try to do it, Word 2010 always sends me to either the next line or in front of the answer but not in front of the letter. Here’s what I’m TRYING to do. \*a. Michaelangelo but it keeps making me do this… a. \*Michaelangelo how can I change this? I have MULTIPLE tests to do so any and all help is GREATLY appreciated!! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/18 "2013-01-02T16:26:10Z")
Don’t use automatic numbered lists. Then you can put characters wherever you want. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/19 "2013-01-02T18:03:43Z")
Yeah, or just **bold** the correct answer. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234/20 "2013-01-02T18:28:05Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Yes, I think a table would be the easiest way to do what the OP wants. I’d say three tabs would work better: one right-aligned, one centered, one left-aligned. The bullet character goes on the center tab and the other tabs hold the adjacent text at a precise distance from it. Set the left wrap margin at the same point as the right-hand tab. I can’t think of any way to use an automatic bullet feature with variable leading text, although some tools allow you to define a “bullet” string of any text. (That would be fixed for all instances.) > [@](#): > > Resumes should always be done with tables anyway, because you need to change them so much. **shudder** Tables should never be used for document formatting except where you actually want, you know, a table. Styles. Learn to use styles. Even with Word’s slightly clumsy handling of them, they’re your friend. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-before-bullet-points/589234.md?page=2)