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Why Is Notepad’s List Feature Such a Pleasant Surprise for Windows 11 Users?
Notepad, once just a blank workspace, has become friendly and practical for note-takers on Windows 11. Now, anyone can make bullet and number lists quickly. This change is refreshing for those who want basic but useful tools without having to switch to bigger, heavier apps.
To start a list in Notepad
- Open Notepad from the Start menu or search bar.
- Find the Lists icon in the toolbar at the top.
- Click it. Choose either Bulleted list or Numbered list—whatever fits your need best.
When you select a list type, Notepad turns each new line you type into a list item. It looks clean, tidy, and easy to read.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Lists
Keyboard shortcuts make the process even smoother:
- Press Alt + L to open the lists menu.
- Then press B for a bullet list.
- Or press N for a numbered list.
That’s it—lists appear with just a few keystrokes.
What If You Can’t See These Options?
If you don’t see the Lists icon or formatting buttons, check if your Notepad is up-to-date. Sometimes, features hide because of an outdated version or because formatting was turned off. Here’s how to handle that:
- Open Notepad.
- Click the gear icon (Settings) in the toolbar.
- Find the Formatting section. Turn it on by toggling the switch.
- If updating is needed, go to Settings in Windows, click on Windows Update, and check for updates.
This will enable all text formatting options—including bullets, numbers, bold, italics, and even links.
New Notepad Features You’ll Enjoy
The little editor now offers much more:
- Tabs for organizing notes side-by-side.
- Dark mode for comfort during late-night work.
- Spell check and autocorrect for fewer mistakes.
- Formatting: bold, italics, bullets, numbers, and links.
- Markdown formatting and toggle views for coders.
- Lightweight AI tools for rewriting, summarizing, and tone adjustments.
- Quick format removal, letting you return to plain text easily.
Benefits of Using Bullet and Number Lists
- Breaks down information into clear chunks.
- Makes notes easy to follow.
- Helps keep track of to-dos or outlines.
Things to Keep in Mind
With formatting, Notepad saves files as .md or .rtf instead of .txt. You can disable formatting any time if you want the classic look.
These improvements make Notepad on Windows 11 genuinely helpful for everyone—from kids making lists to adults managing projects. The whole experience feels friendly and efficient.