How to Add Bullet Points in Google Sheets
Unlike Google Docs, Google Sheets does not have a built-in bullet point button. However, there are several easy ways to add bullets to your spreadsheet cells. This guide covers keyboard shortcuts, the CHAR function, copy-paste methods, and custom number formatting to create bullet lists in Google Sheets.
Quick Answer
To add bullet points in Google Sheets: Double-click a cell > Press Alt+7 (Windows with NumPad) or Option+8 (Mac) to insert a bullet > Type your text. No NumPad? Use the formula =CHAR(8226)&" "&"Your text" instead.
Tip: Press Alt+Enter (Windows) or Ctrl+Enter (Mac) to add a new line within the same cell for multiple bullet points.
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
The quickest way to insert a bullet point in Google Sheets is using a keyboard shortcut. This method requires a numeric keypad (NumPad) on Windows.
Windows (with NumPad)
- Double-click the cell where you want to add a bullet point to enter edit mode.
- Make sure Num Lock is ON on your keyboard.
- Hold Alt and press 7 on the numeric keypad (not the number row).
- Release Alt. A bullet point (•) will appear.
- Type your text after the bullet.
Mac
- Double-click the cell to enter edit mode.
- Press Option + 8 to insert a bullet point.
- Type your text after the bullet.
| Platform | Shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (NumPad) | Alt + 7 | Must use numeric keypad |
| Windows (Alt Code) | Alt + 0149 | Alternative with NumPad |
| Mac | Option + 8 | Works on all Mac keyboards |
| Chromebook | Ctrl + Shift + U, then 2022 | Unicode input method |
No NumPad? If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, the Alt+7 shortcut will not work. Use the CHAR function method or copy-paste method described below instead.
Method 2: Using the CHAR Function
The CHAR function is the most reliable way to add bullet points in Google Sheets because it works on any device without special keyboard requirements. The bullet point character has the code 8226.
Basic Formula
To display just a bullet point, enter this formula in a cell:
=CHAR(8226)Bullet with Text
To combine a bullet point with text, use the ampersand (&) to concatenate:
=CHAR(8226)&" "&"Your item text here"Reference Another Cell
To add a bullet before text that is in another cell (like A1):
=CHAR(8226)&" "&A1Multiple Bullets in One Cell
To create a multi-line bulleted list within a single cell, use CHAR(10) for line breaks:
=CHAR(8226)&" First item"&CHAR(10)&CHAR(8226)&" Second item"&CHAR(10)&CHAR(8226)&" Third item"Pro Tip: For the line breaks to display properly, make sure text wrapping is enabled for the cell. Go to Format > Text wrapping > Wrap.
Method 3: Copy and Paste
The simplest method that works everywhere is to copy a bullet character and paste it into your Google Sheets cell. Here are bullet characters you can copy right now:
Standard Bullet
CHAR(8226)
White Bullet
CHAR(9702)
Square Bullet
CHAR(9642)
Triangle Bullet
CHAR(9656)
Arrow Bullet
CHAR(10148)
Star Bullet
CHAR(9733)
Checkmark
CHAR(10003)
Arrow
CHAR(8594)
How to Use Copy-Paste Method
- Select and copy one of the bullet characters above (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C).
- Double-click the cell in Google Sheets where you want the bullet.
- Paste the bullet character (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V).
- Type your text after the bullet.
Once you have a bullet in your spreadsheet, you can copy it from there for future use without returning to this page.
Method 4: Custom Number Formatting
For a cleaner approach that keeps your data separate from formatting, you can create a custom number format that automatically adds a bullet before any text in the cell.
- Select the cells you want to format with bullets.
- Go to Format > Number > Custom number format.
- In the format field, enter:
• @ - Click Apply.
Now any text you type in those cells will automatically display with a bullet point in front. The actual cell value remains just the text, making it easier to use in formulas.
Pro Tip: The @ symbol in custom formats represents text content. You can add any character before it, like "- @" for dashes or "★ @" for stars.
How to Add Bullet Points on Mobile
Adding bullet points in the Google Sheets mobile app (iOS and Android) is less straightforward since there are no keyboard shortcuts. Here are your options:
Option 1: Copy from This Page
- Long-press on this bullet character: •
- Select Copy.
- Open Google Sheets and tap the cell.
- Tap in the formula bar and paste.
- Type your text after the bullet.
Option 2: Use Google Docs
- Create a bulleted list in Google Docs (which has a bullet button).
- Copy the bulleted text.
- Paste into your Google Sheets cell.
Option 3: Use the CHAR Formula
You can type the CHAR formula on mobile just like on desktop:
- Tap the cell where you want the bullet.
- Type:
=CHAR(8226)&" Your text" - Tap the checkmark to confirm.
Different Bullet Point Styles
Google Sheets supports various bullet characters through the CHAR function. Here are popular options with their codes:
| Symbol | Name | CHAR Code | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| • | Standard Bullet | 8226 | =CHAR(8226) |
| ◦ | White Bullet | 9702 | =CHAR(9702) |
| ▪ | Black Square | 9642 | =CHAR(9642) |
| ▫ | White Square | 9643 | =CHAR(9643) |
| ► | Triangle Right | 9658 | =CHAR(9658) |
| ▸ | Small Triangle | 9656 | =CHAR(9656) |
| ● | Black Circle | 9679 | =CHAR(9679) |
| ○ | White Circle | 9675 | =CHAR(9675) |
| ◆ | Black Diamond | 9670 | =CHAR(9670) |
| ★ | Black Star | 9733 | =CHAR(9733) |
| ☆ | White Star | 9734 | =CHAR(9734) |
| ✓ | Checkmark | 10003 | =CHAR(10003) |
| ✗ | X Mark | 10007 | =CHAR(10007) |
| → | Right Arrow | 8594 | =CHAR(8594) |
| » | Double Angle | 187 | =CHAR(187) |
Tips & Best Practices
Enable text wrapping for multi-line bullets
If you have multiple bullet points in one cell, ensure text wrapping is on (Format > Text wrapping > Wrap) so all lines display properly.
Use a dedicated column for bullets
For cleaner data, put bullets in column A and text in column B. This keeps your actual data separate from formatting and makes sorting easier.
Create a bullet template cell
Keep one cell with your preferred bullet character that you can copy from whenever needed. This is faster than remembering CHAR codes.
Consider using checkboxes instead
For task lists, Google Sheets checkboxes (Insert > Checkbox) are often more useful than bullet points since they can be checked and used in formulas.
Align text properly
For bulleted lists, left-align your cells (Format > Align > Left) for a cleaner appearance. You may also want to adjust the column width.
Use indentation for sub-bullets
For hierarchical lists, add spaces before secondary bullets or use different bullet symbols (like ◦ for sub-items under •).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you add bullet points in Google Sheets?
Double-click a cell to edit, then press Alt+7 (Windows with NumPad) or Option+8 (Mac) to insert a bullet character. Alternatively, use the formula =CHAR(8226) to generate a bullet point, or copy and paste a bullet character directly.
What is the CHAR code for bullet point in Google Sheets?
The CHAR code for a standard bullet point is 8226. Use =CHAR(8226) to insert a bullet. You can combine it with text using =CHAR(8226)&" "&"Your text" or reference a cell with =CHAR(8226)&" "&A1.
Can you create a bulleted list in Google Sheets?
Yes. You can put each item in a separate row with a bullet at the start, or create a multi-line list in one cell using Alt+Enter (Windows) or Ctrl+Enter (Mac) for line breaks. Add a bullet before each line using CHAR(8226).
Is there a keyboard shortcut for bullet points in Google Sheets?
On Windows with a numeric keypad, press Alt+7. On Mac, press Option+8. Chromebook users can press Ctrl+Shift+U, then type 2022 and press Enter. These shortcuts work while editing a cell.
How do I add bullet points in Google Sheets on mobile?
On mobile, copy a bullet character from another source (like this page) and paste it into your cell. You can also type the CHAR formula directly: =CHAR(8226)&" Your text".
Why does Google Sheets not have a bullet point button?
Google Sheets is designed for data and calculations rather than document formatting. Bullet points are less common in spreadsheets than in word processors. However, you can still add them using the methods described in this guide.
How do I add multiple bullet points in one cell?
Use the formula =CHAR(8226)&" Item 1"&CHAR(10)&CHAR(8226)&" Item 2" where CHAR(10) creates a line break. Make sure text wrapping is enabled (Format > Text wrapping > Wrap) to see all lines.
Summary
Adding bullet points to Google Sheets is possible using several methods:
- Keyboard shortcut: Alt+7 (Windows NumPad) or Option+8 (Mac)
- CHAR function: =CHAR(8226) for reliable cross-platform support
- Copy and paste: Simply copy a bullet character (•) and paste it
- Custom number format: Format > Number > Custom format with "• @"
- Mobile: Copy a bullet or use the CHAR formula
While Google Sheets lacks a dedicated bullet point button, these methods give you full flexibility to create professional-looking bulleted lists in your spreadsheets.
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