Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 – Topic 17: Document Production
Learning Objective
Be able to create or edit lists, including bulleted and numbered lists, in a word‑processing document.
Why Use Lists?
Organise information clearly.
Make documents easier to read.
Help the reader scan for key points.
Types of Lists
List Type
Typical Use
Key Features
Bulleted list
Items of equal importance
Bullet symbol, no inherent order
Numbered list
Steps in a process, ranked items
Arabic numerals or letters, sequential order
Multi‑level list
Complex information with sub‑items
Combination of bullets and numbers, indentation
Creating a Bulleted List
Place the cursor where the list should start.
Choose the “Bullets” button on the toolbar (often shown as •).
Type the first item and press Enter to add the next bullet.
To end the list, press Enter twice or click the “Bullets” button again.
Creating a Numbered List
Position the cursor at the desired start point.
Select the “Numbering” button (usually shown as 1., a, i).
Enter the first step, press Enter for the next number.
To change the numbering style, open the numbering dialog and choose Arabic, Roman, or alphabetic.
Terminate the list by pressing Enter twice or clicking the “Numbering” button.
Editing Existing Lists
Adding items: Place the cursor at the end of a line and press Enter.
Removing items: Delete the text of the line; the list will renumber automatically.
Changing list type: Highlight the list and click the opposite list button (bullets ↔ numbers).
Indenting / outdenting: Use the “Increase Indent” or “Decrease Indent” buttons to create sub‑levels.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Accidentally mixing bullet and number styles – always select the whole list before changing the style.
Leaving extra blank lines inside a list – can break the continuity; delete unnecessary blanks.
Incorrect indentation – use the indent buttons rather than pressing the Tab key, which may insert spaces instead of a proper list level.
Practical Exercise
Create a document that includes the following:
A bulleted list of five advantages of using lists in reports.
A numbered list of the steps to format a heading (font, size, bold, alignment).
A multi‑level list showing a simple recipe: main steps numbered, sub‑steps bulleted.
Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing the decision process for choosing a bulleted or numbered list.
Assessment Checklist
Can you start and end both list types correctly?
Do you know how to change the numbering format?
Can you create a multi‑level list with proper indentation?
Are you able to edit, add, and delete list items without breaking the list?
Summary
Lists are a fundamental tool in document production. Mastering bulleted and numbered lists improves the clarity and professionalism of any ICT document.