# Manage Bulleted and Numbered Lists in Presentations Using Python via Java

> Learn how to create and format bulleted lists, picture bullets, multilevel lists, and numbered lists in PowerPoint and OpenDocument presentations using Aspose.Slides for Python via Java.

Source: https://docs.aspose.com/slides/python-java/manage-lists/
Updated: 2026-09-09


## **Overview**

Aspose.Slides for Python via Java lets you create and format bulleted and numbered lists in PowerPoint and OpenDocument presentations. A list item is a paragraph whose bullet settings are controlled through its paragraph format.

Use the [Paragraph.getParagraphFormat](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/paragraph/#getParagraphFormat) method to access paragraph-level list settings. The main entry point is [ParagraphFormat.getBullet](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/paragraphformat/#getBullet), which returns a [BulletFormat](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/) object. With this object, you can set the bullet type, symbol, picture, color, size, numbering style, and starting number.

This article shows how to:

- create a bulleted list with a custom symbol
- create a picture bullet
- create a multilevel list by setting paragraph depth
- create a numbered list
- inspect and change list formatting in an existing presentation

## **Create a Bulleted List**

To create a bulleted list, add [Paragraph](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/paragraph/) objects to a [TextFrame](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/textframe/) and set [BulletFormat.setType](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setType) to [BulletType.Symbol](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bullettype/#Symbol). You can then use [BulletFormat.setChar](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setChar), [BulletFormat.getColor](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#getColor), and [BulletFormat.setHeight](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setHeight) to control the bullet appearance.

The following Python code demonstrates how to create a bulleted list on a slide:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import BulletType, NullableBool, Paragraph, Presentation, SaveFormat, ShapeType
from java.awt import Color

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    auto_shape = slide.getShapes().addAutoShape(ShapeType.Rectangle, 20, 20, 200, 50)

    text_frame = auto_shape.getTextFrame()
    text_frame.getParagraphs().clear()

    bullet_color = Color(205, 92, 92)

    first_paragraph = Paragraph()
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Symbol)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setChar('*')
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setIndent(15)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setBulletHardColor(NullableBool.True_)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().getColor().setColor(bullet_color)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setHeight(100)
    first_paragraph.setText("The first paragraph")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(first_paragraph)

    second_paragraph = Paragraph()
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Symbol)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setChar('*')
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setIndent(15)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setBulletHardColor(NullableBool.True_)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().getColor().setColor(bullet_color)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setHeight(100)
    second_paragraph.setText("The second paragraph")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(second_paragraph)

    presentation.save("symbol_bullets.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

The result:

![The symbol bullets](symbol_bullets.png)

## **Create a Numbered List**

Use numbered lists when the order of items matters. Set [BulletFormat.setType](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setType) to [BulletType.Numbered](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bullettype/#Numbered). You can also choose a numbering format with [BulletFormat.setNumberedBulletStyle](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setNumberedBulletStyle) or use [BulletFormat.setNumberedBulletStartWith](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setNumberedBulletStartWith) when the list should start at a value other than 1.

The following Python code shows how to create a numbered list on a slide:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import BulletType, Paragraph, Presentation, SaveFormat, ShapeType

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    auto_shape = slide.getShapes().addAutoShape(ShapeType.Rectangle, 20, 20, 90, 80)

    text_frame = auto_shape.getTextFrame()
    text_frame.getParagraphs().clear()

    first_paragraph = Paragraph()
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Numbered)
    first_paragraph.setText("Apple")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(first_paragraph)

    second_paragraph = Paragraph()
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Numbered)
    second_paragraph.setText("Orange")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(second_paragraph)

    third_paragraph = Paragraph()
    third_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Numbered)
    third_paragraph.setText("Banana")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(third_paragraph)

    presentation.save("numbered_bullets.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

The result:

![The numbered bullets](numbered_bullets.png)

## **Create a Picture Bullet**

Aspose.Slides allows you to replace a regular bullet symbol with an image. Picture bullets work best with simple images that remain readable at a small size, such as icons or small transparent PNG files.

{{% alert color="info" title="Note" %}}

If you plan to replace a regular bullet symbol with an image, choose a simple graphic with a transparent background. Such images work well as custom bullet symbols.

Keep in mind that the image will be scaled down to a very small size. For that reason, we strongly recommend selecting an image that remains clear and visually effective when used as a bullet in a list.

{{% /alert %}}

To create a picture bullet, add an image to [Presentation.getImages](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/presentation/#getImages) and assign the returned image object to [BulletFormat.getPicture](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#getPicture). Set [BulletFormat.setType](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bulletformat/#setType) to [BulletType.Picture](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/bullettype/#Picture) before assigning the image.

Suppose we have an image named "image.png":

![A picture for the bullets](picture_for_bullets.png)

The following Python code shows how to create picture bullets on a slide:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import BulletType, Images, Paragraph, Presentation, SaveFormat, ShapeType

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    auto_shape = slide.getShapes().addAutoShape(ShapeType.Rectangle, 20, 20, 200, 50)

    text_frame = auto_shape.getTextFrame()
    text_frame.getParagraphs().clear()

    image = Images.fromFile("image.png")
    try:
        bullet_image = presentation.getImages().addImage(image)
    finally:
        image.dispose()

    first_paragraph = Paragraph()
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Picture)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().getPicture().setImage(bullet_image)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setIndent(15)
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setHeight(100)
    first_paragraph.setText("The first paragraph")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(first_paragraph)

    second_paragraph = Paragraph()
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Picture)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().getPicture().setImage(bullet_image)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setIndent(15)
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setHeight(100)
    second_paragraph.setText("The second paragraph")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(second_paragraph)

    presentation.save("picture_bullets.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

The result:

![The picture bullets](picture_bullets.png)

## **Create a Multilevel List**

Use [ParagraphFormat.setDepth](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/paragraphformat/#setDepth) to place list items at different levels. Level 0 is the top level, level 1 is nested below it, and so on.

The following Python code shows how to create a multilevel bulleted list:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import Paragraph, Presentation, SaveFormat, ShapeType

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    auto_shape = slide.getShapes().addAutoShape(ShapeType.Rectangle, 20, 20, 260, 110)

    text_frame = auto_shape.getTextFrame()
    text_frame.getParagraphs().clear()

    first_paragraph = Paragraph()
    first_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setDepth(0)
    first_paragraph.setText("My text - Depth 0")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(first_paragraph)

    second_paragraph = Paragraph()
    second_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setDepth(1)
    second_paragraph.setText("My text - Depth 1")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(second_paragraph)

    third_paragraph = Paragraph()
    third_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setDepth(2)
    third_paragraph.setText("My text - Depth 2")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(third_paragraph)

    fourth_paragraph = Paragraph()
    fourth_paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setDepth(3)
    fourth_paragraph.setText("My text - Depth 3")
    text_frame.getParagraphs().add(fourth_paragraph)

    presentation.save("multilevel_bullets.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

The result:

![The multilevel list](multilevel_list.png)

## **Change an Existing List**

To change list formatting in an existing presentation, access the target paragraph and update its [ParagraphFormat.getBullet](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/paragraphformat/#getBullet) settings. The same properties used to create lists can be used to inspect or modify lists loaded from a PPT, PPTX, or ODP file.

The following Python code changes the first paragraph in a text frame to use a numbered list style:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import BulletType, NumberedBulletStyle, Presentation, SaveFormat

presentation = Presentation("input.pptx")
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    auto_shape = slide.getShapes().get_Item(0)
    paragraph = auto_shape.getTextFrame().getParagraphs().get_Item(0)

    paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setType(BulletType.Numbered)
    paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setNumberedBulletStyle(NumberedBulletStyle.BulletRomanUCPeriod)
    paragraph.getParagraphFormat().getBullet().setNumberedBulletStartWith(1)
    paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setMarginLeft(30)
    paragraph.getParagraphFormat().setIndent(-20)

    presentation.save("updated_list.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

## **FAQ**

**Can bulleted and numbered lists be exported to PDF or images?**

Yes. Aspose.Slides preserves list formatting when the target format supports the corresponding text layout and bullet features.

**Can I edit lists in existing presentations?**

Yes. Load the presentation, access the target paragraph, inspect or update its [ParagraphFormat.getBullet](https://reference.aspose.com/slides/python-java/aspose.slides/paragraphformat/#getBullet) settings, and save the presentation.

**Can lists contain non-Latin text?**

Yes. List item text can contain Unicode characters, so you can create lists in multilingual presentations. Make sure the fonts used in the presentation support the characters you need.