Custom bullet lists and keyboard bullet shortcuts

Scrivener Wish List
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Hi, I write A LOT of notes and take outlining very seriously. I wish I could define custom bullet lists on scrivener as well as bullet shortcuts like using the dash key to insert a bullet (I used these features on word religiously and I think I did the latter through auto correct but when I went back or clicked on the little down arrow that appears I had the option to revert it to a dash when needed). From what i’ve seen you only have the option to prefix or suffix the bullet, please let me know if these options already exist on Scrivener and how to access them. Also! My scrivener is so beautiful and customized but the top main title of the window sometimes interferes with my vibe …I wish I could change the font of that title…

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Hi Elize – welcome!

You don’t actually need to create a shortcut to start a generic bullet point (i.e. one starting with a dash) because MacOS already has a shortcut for this, which works in every compliant Mac text program (though there are a few, like Safari, Word, and Tinderbox which don’t play ball).

Type opt-tab in the Scrivener editor (or Notes inspector) and you’ll start the list off.

For more advanced uses, while you can’t create a custom list, you can use the following shortcuts (mostly Scrivener only) to manipulate the lists reasonably simply:

  • cmd-ctl-left/right (or tab/shift-tab) promotes / demotes an item (or items if you select more than one line)

  • cmd-ctl-up/down moves the bulleted up or down the list. (BTW, the same cmd-ctl shortcuts – but not tab/shift/tab do the same for documents in the Binder).

  • cmd-opt-left/right cycles through the various types of bullet/number for every item at the same level of the list

This very quick and dirty screencast gives you an idea, I hope - it’s all done with these shortcuts.

NB: once I’d set the bullet point type up for the second level, I didn’t have to use the cmd-ctl-right shortcut again – once you’ve set it it says the same for that level through the list (until you change it again, or create a new list, of course).

One other thing you can try is to assign your own shortcuts to each bullet type in System Preferences, though you do have to be careful to reproduce the bullet exactly. Please ask if you’re not sure about this.

Hope this helps…

3 Likes
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This is very helpful :slight_smile:

Thank you!

1 Like
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You are very welcome!