Formatting Issues

How to Fix Microsoft Word Picture Bullet Request Too Long Error

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to insert picture bullets into their documents due to persistent HTTP 400 or bad request errors.

How to Fix the Microsoft Word Picture Bullet Request Too Long Error

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to customize a document list by inserting a local or online picture bullet.
Observed behavior: Instead of opening the image selection dialog, Microsoft Word displays a 'Request Too Long', 'Bad Request', or 'HTTP Error 400' message. The user is blocked from choosing any online or offline images.

Before you start

Ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed before modifying system configuration files, as changes will not take effect if the program is running in the background.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete the Corrupted ListGal.dat File

Use this primary solution to clear the corrupted list gallery configuration file, forcing Word to generate a fresh, error-free version upon restart.

The ListGal.dat file stores your local bullet and numbering gallery preferences. When this file becomes corrupted, it can disrupt Word's ability to process picture bullets, triggering unexpected network or request errors even when offline.

Enable Hidden Files in File Explorer

Open File Explorer. Click on the 'View' tab at the top of the window, check the box for 'Hidden items' so you can see hidden system folders.

Navigate to the Word Profile Folder

In the File Explorer address bar, type or paste the following path and press Enter: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word (replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username).

Delete ListGal.dat

Locate the file named 'ListGal.dat' in the folder. Right-click the file and select 'Delete'.

Restart Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word again and attempt to insert your picture bullet. Word will automatically recreate a clean version of the ListGal.dat file.

File Regeneration: Do not worry if you see the ListGal.dat file reappear after restarting Word. This is standard behavior; Word is generating a new file to replace the corrupted one.

Solution 2

Rename the Normal Template

If resetting the list gallery does not work, renaming the Normal template resolves deeper configuration issues affecting Word's default formatting.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Add Picture Bullets Without Errors

If Microsoft Word continues to display HTTP errors when you try to format lists, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative for all your document formatting needs.

1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office, open your document, and highlight the text you want to format as a list.
2. Access the Bullets Menu: Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the top ribbon and click the dropdown arrow next to the 'Bullets' icon.
3. Insert the Picture Bullet: Select 'More Bullets', navigate to the 'Picture' tab, and easily insert any local image from your device without encountering bad request errors.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteSeamlessly add custom picture bullets without triggering HTTP or network errorsHighly compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Familiar user interface requires no learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the ListGal.dat file keep reappearing after I delete it?

Microsoft Word automatically regenerates the ListGal.dat file the next time it opens to store your bullet and numbering gallery settings. Deleting the corrupted one simply forces Word to create a fresh, error-free version, which is why the file safely returns.

Can I use picture bullets completely offline in Word?

Yes, typically you can insert picture bullets from a local file. However, if the gallery file is corrupted, Word might incorrectly trigger an online HTTP 400 error or blank box even when you are just trying to insert offline images from your hard drive.

Will renaming the Normal template delete my saved macros or styles?

Renaming Normal.dotm to Normal.old will reset your default styles, macros, and customizations so Word can start fresh. However, because you only renamed the file rather than deleting it, your old settings are preserved in the Normal.old file, and you can restore items from it using the Organizer tool later if needed.

Document & File Issues