Are you still making
In the 21st century, no one should be doing this task by hand. Manually formatted lists are a waste of time and prone to error. Use automated lists.
<ul>; for a numbered list, <ol>
As I suggested in mixing fonts, it’s acceptable to set a list index (i.e., a bullet or a number) in a different font than the list item itself. You can also make the list index a smaller point size.
Asterisks are sometimes used as bullets, but they’re not qualified for the job—they’re too small and too high.
Look out for overlarge bullets. Like first-line indents, they should be big enough to be noticeable, but no bigger. I usually prefer hollow bullets to solid bullets because they’re more subtle.
A
dingbat is a nonalphabetic typographic ornament. That’s why those symbol fonts on your computer have names like Zapf Dingbats and Wingdings. Dingbat fonts can be a good source of alternative bullets and numbers. Simple geometric dingbats are better than pictorial ones, which don’t translate to small sizes. Be aware that these dingbat fonts sometimes contain symbols with cultural or religious significance—tread carefully if the symbol is unfamiliar to you.Word processors use automatic list detection by default. When you type something that looks like a bulleted or numbered list, it’s converted into an automated list. If that method works for you, great. I turn off this feature because I find it only guesses right about half the time.