Want to keep your thoughts and ideas in neat order? Whether you are jotting down quick notes or groceries to buy, it’s time to get organized with a list. Find out here how to make a list within a note in Apple Notes ⤓ — including numbered, unordered and to-do lists.
First, Steps to Be Taken
Before there are steps to be taken, there are steps to be taken. Among the first and most important hurdles to overcome is a formula, of course. Yes, there is a formula for building stairs.
To make sure steps do not themselves become hurdles, it is important to follow the proportions of an average and random human’s walk. The formula, going back to François Blondel at least, is:
So, if the steps up the hill in your backyard are 15 in deep, let them rise some 5 in for a sum of 15 + 2 × 5 = 25 in to satisfy Blondel’s formula. This makes sure the stairs feel natural and comfortable to climb.
Speaking of steps — for lists both orderly and unordered in Apple Notes, here are the steps:
How to Make a List in Apple Notes
Time needed: 2 minutes
To quickly add a list (numbered, dashed or bulleted) to a note in Apple Notes on a Mac, iPhone, iPad and accessing iCloud.com in a browser:
- Position the text cursor where you want to insert the first list item.
Here’s where: Do start the list on a new line.
- Type
-(minus) for a dashed list,*(star) and1.(number followed by a period) for a numbered list. - Now press Space.
Here’s what happens: Apple Notes will turn the characters so far entered into the first item in the list.
- Type the first item.
- End each item with Enter (a newline character).
Up and down: You can re-arrange list items using a keyboard shortcut or the menu.
Sideways: On iPhone and iPad, you can change list indentation by just swiping. - Finish the list by typing Enter on the last and superfluous, empty item without entering any text for the item.
Here’s what happens: The list marker for the last item will disappear, and you will return to regular body formatting.
Their word: Apple include information on creating lists in the Notes User Guide.
Insert a Checklist (To-Do List)
To insert a checklist — a list with checkboxes you can tick — in a note with Apple Notes:
- Position the text cursor where you want to insert the checklist.
- Tap or click Make a Checklist in the note’s toolbar.
Notes keyboard shortcut: On a Mac and iPad, you can also press Command Shift L to start a new checklist.
To-do list done?
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Turning Text Into Lists and Vice Versa in Apple Notes
You can, of course, also turn existing text into a list.
To format body text as a list in Apple Notes:
- Format the text so each item appears on a line of its own with no empty lines in between (except where you want to break up the list).
- Highlight all the text you want to format as a list.
- Select the desired list style from the Aa formatting menu or choose Make a Checklist for a to-do list.
Notes keyboard shortcuts: You can also press Command Shift 7 for a bulleted list, Command Shift 8 for a dashed list, Command Shift 9 for a numbered list and Command Shift L for a checklist.
To turn any list back into regular text:
- Apply the Body formatting to the list (or parts of the list).
How to Make a List in Apple Notes: FAQ
Can I start with a number other than ‘1’?
Yes.
You can start your list at any number.
Example: Typing 54. and following up with Space will start a list counting up from 54 as its first item.
Can I make Apple Notes numbered lists count down, or increment by a number other than 1?
No.
Numbered lists in Apple Notes always count up by one. You can always format body text to work as a list, of course, and number each line or item as desired.
Is there a text shortcut for starting a checklist?
No.
You can use the toolbar or the keyboard shortcut to create to-do lists in Notes. Text shortcuts you might envision (such as [ ]) will not work.
(How to make a list tested with Apple Notes 4 on macOS, Notes for iOS 18 and 26 as well as Notes on the web at iCloud.com; first published May 2025, last updated December 2025)