Lists are an essential part of most PowerPoint presentations. They allow you to break up large blocks of text, organize information clearly, and highlight key points. In PowerPoint 2013, there are several ways to customize your lists to make them more visually appealing and effective.

Types of Lists

There are two main types of lists in PowerPoint 2013:

Bulleted lists – These lists use bullets or symbols to separate each list item. They are best for listing information that is not sequential.

Numbered lists – These lists use sequential numbers or letters to order the list items. They work well for ordered steps or ranked information.

PowerPoint offers a variety of bullet and number formats to choose from. You can also create multilevel lists, with different indent levels to show hierarchy.

Customizing List Formatting

To change the look of your lists in PowerPoint 2013, select the list text and use the options on the Home tab. Here are some formatting customizations you can apply:

Bullet or number format – Change to a different symbol or numbering format
Font – Alter the font face, size, color, or other text formatting
Indentation – Increase or decrease indentation to show different levels

Spacing – Adjust line spacing between items
Color – Make your lists stand out by changing font or bullet colors

For example:

To increase visual appeal, use colored bullets instead of standard black circles
Switch to checkmarks or stars for non-sequential bulleted lists
Apply numbering formats like roman numerals or letters for ordered lists

You can also customize your lists on the Slide Master to change defaults for your entire presentation.

Tips for Great Lists

Here are some best practices for using lists effectively in your PowerPoint slides:

Break up long paragraphs by converting text to bulleted lists

Limit list items to 1-2 lines to keep slides clean and simple
Use numbered lists for sequential steps or ranked/prioritized information
Change bullet styles or sizes to establish hierarchy for multi-level lists

Insert icons or images next to bullets when appropriate for visual interest
Use consistent formatting for lists throughout your presentation for clarity

For example:

🗸 Break up blocks of text with bulleted lists
1️⃣ Use numbered lists for step-by-step processes
⭐ Establish hierarchy with larger/different bullets

By customizing your PowerPoint lists using the formatting options available in version 2013, you can enhance the clarity and engagement level of your presentation. Carefully designed lists help audiences better digest and retain information.