Create lists

Create lists

By default, iBooks Author creates lists for you automatically, when you type text that appears to be a list. For example, if you type a bullet (Option-8), a space, and text, iBooks Author automatically formats the next paragraph as a list by adding a bullet for you.

You can also turn a paragraph into a list and vice versa. You can format lists using the List pane of the Text inspector:

Controls in List pane of Text inspector

Format a list

  1. If the Text inspector isn’t open, click Inspector in the toolbar and click the Text Inspector button.

  2. In the Text inspector, click List.

  3. Select the text you want to format.

    You can select text you want to turn into a list or text already formatted as a list.

  4. Choose a list type from the Bullets & Numbering pop-up menu.

    • Text Bullets: Choose one of the provided symbols or type your own character in the field.

      You can also choose a special character and drag it to the field.

    • Image Bullets: Choose one of the provided symbols.

    • Custom Image: Use your own image as a bullet. To choose an image, click Choose or drag a new image to the field.

    • Numbers: Create a numbered list.

    • Tiered Numbers: Create a legal-style list (1, 1.1., 1.1.1, and so on).

  5. Do any of the following:

    • Promote or demote an item in a list: Click an Indent Level button (in the List pane of the Text inspector) or choose Format > Text > Option.

    • Change the number that begins a numbered list: Select “Start at” and type the number.

    • Automatically increase or decrease a bullet’s size when you change the size of its text: Select “Scale with text.”

    • Change the distance between the margin and the bullet (or number): Use the Bullet Indent field or the Number Indent field.

    • Change the distance between the bullet (or number) and its text: Use the Text Indent field.

Stop creating an automatic list

  • Press Return twice.

Turn automatic list generation on or off

  1. Choose iBooks Author > Preferences, and click Auto-Correction.

  2. Select or deselect “Automatically detect lists.”

Turn a list into regular text

  1. Select all the text in the list.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • In the format bar, choose None from the List pop-up menu .

    • In the Text inspector, choose No Bullets from the Bullets & Numbering pop-up menu.

You can also create a list style and add the new style to the Styles drawer.