Numbering vs. Bullets: When to use which?

[E-QCDA]

During the course of reviewing and updating company procedures, I've come across some documents that use numbering for the subsections and some use bullets. There isn't a template/format that everyone in the company uses so each procedure tends to be unique. Since we are trying to update all of our documents to look the same, is there a rule of thumb that states when to use bullets and when to use numbers?

 

[JaneP]

I use a numbering outline until it comes to the 4th level, then I use bullets instead of numbering. Otherwise, it gets messy.

 

[JimS]

We go mostly with numbering, as procedures and work instructions are noting steps that at the very least somewhat sequential. Numbering makes sense here.

But if within one of those numbered paragraphs we want to list some things that are just a list of things and not anything sequential, we use bullets. This all sounds very logical now (at least to me) as I write it down but it took us a little while to figure out at first.

Assuming you're using Word, I strongly suggest that you make use of Styles to manage these numbered paragraphs and bulleted lists, as well as a template that has them all set up. That's the only way you'll get consistency. And there's nothing more frustrating than editing a document where all this formatting is just manually crammed in and things jump around whenever you add or delete something.

 

[Jim Wynne]

Use numbers to make it easier to cite a particular part of a document. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Making everything look alike doesn't solve any problems.

 

[Randy]

Do whatever you want, when you want, and how you want, just control it and ensure the format is consistently used and understood. To be honest I couldn't care less as long as I see effective control (all I do is 3rd party stuff and the whole process belongs to you)

 

[Cari Spears]

I use a numbering outline until it comes to the 4th level, then I use bullets instead of numbering. Otherwise, it gets messy.

Me too, except I go to letters, then bullets if necessary, lol.

 

[E-QCDA]

thank you all for the suggestions and comments. They have helped a great deal!

 

[Ed Panek]

At least use numbers for the highest levels of the document. This makes revisions to the document captured in the rev table easier to ID.

eg. Updated section 4.3.3 to add requirements of ISO 14971....

 

[indubioush]

Typically, numbers are used for ordered lists, where 1. must come before 2., etc. Bullets are typically reserved for unordered lists.

 

[kys123]

I have nothing to add but I must say that if I tried arguing about this with the people I work with I'd get all kinds of weirds looks.

Seeing these kinds of discussions online makes me feel less crazy and like I'm not the only person in the world that cares about these kinds of things lol.