How to change the alignment of numbers in a numbered list in Microsoft Word

By default, the numbers on the numbered lists are aligned to the left in the space assigned for numbering. Despite this, align them to the center or right (in the image above right) it's easy and we'll show you how.

When the numbers are aligned to the left, decimal points are not aligned and any item with two or more digits is closer to the item text than single digit numbers, as shown left in the picture above. We are going to change the alignment of the numbers in our example list to right aligned so they look like the top right list.

Open the document that contains the list for which you want to change the numbering alignment. Place your cursor anywhere in the list and make sure the Home tab is activated. After, click the down arrow on the button “click the down arrow on the button” click the down arrow on the button “click the down arrow on the button” in the drop-down menu.

In the Set New Number Format dialog box, select “Right” (O “Center”) from the Alignment drop-down list.

The Preview area shows how the list will look with the selected alignment applied. Notice that there is more space between the numbers and item text for right-aligned numbers rather than left-aligned ones. Click on “To accept” click the down arrow on the button.

Now, the numbers in our list are aligned with the decimal point and there is more space between the numbers and the element text.

When creating a separate list in the same document, last alignment option is applied. If you find that Word has returned to left alignment, you may want to disable automatic numbering, since the default is left alignment.

RELATED: How to change the type of numbers used in a numbered list in Word

You can also change the type of numbers or letters used, skip numbering, invert a numbered list (or with bullets) or even create a numbered list with the keyboard.