How to Remove or Replace Multilevel Lists in WPS Office Writer
Question details
The user wants to remove unused multilevel list definitions and replace them with a custom outline numbering system so documents no longer pick up unwanted list formats.
- Product
- WPS Office Writer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A word-processing document contains unwanted built-in multilevel lists, and the user needs to clean up the formatting and create a reliable custom outline numbering scheme.
- Observed behavior
- The document applies unwanted built-in multilevel list formats, and the built-in list gallery entries cannot be deleted directly.
Open the Styles pane before you begin, and identify the paragraphs that currently use the multilevel list. Decide the numbering hierarchy you want, because custom list definitions are easier to manage than direct list formatting.
Create a custom multilevel list with linked paragraph styles
Use this method when you want to replace the built-in multilevel list with a stable outline numbering system that is easy to update.
WPS Office Writer keeps built-in multilevel list examples in the Home tab. Instead of trying to delete those gallery entries, you can define a custom multilevel list and link each level to a paragraph style.
Open the document in WPS Office Writer, then click the Home tab on the ribbon.
Click the Multilevel List drop-down arrow in the Paragraph group and select Define New Multilevel List.
In the dialog, select level 1, choose the number format and indentation, then link the level to a style such as Heading 1. Repeat for levels 2, 3, or more.
Click OK to save the new list definition, then apply the linked heading styles to the sections in your document.
Remove a saved list style from the Styles pane
Use this method when you created a custom list style that you no longer need and want to delete it from the document style list.
Strip obsolete list formatting by copying content to a new document
Use this method when the document has persistent or corrupted multilevel list formatting that is difficult to clean up manually.
Remove and Replace Multilevel Lists in WPS Office Writer
Open your document in WPS Writer, define a custom multilevel list linked to paragraph styles, and apply it to your headings to replace unwanted built-in list formatting.
- 1. Open the document: Open the file in WPS Office Writer and click the Home tab.
- 2. Open multilevel list settings: Click the Multilevel List drop-down arrow and choose Define New Multilevel List.
- 3. Customize each level: In the dialog, select each level, set the number format and indentation, and link it to a paragraph style such as Heading 1 or Heading 2.
- 4. Apply the new list: Click OK, then apply the linked heading styles to the document outline.
- 5. Clear direct list formatting: If needed, select affected paragraphs and apply the desired style instead of using the direct Home tab list button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete the built-in multilevel list entries shown in the Home tab?
No. Built-in list gallery entries cannot be deleted in WPS Writer or Word. Define your own custom multilevel list and apply it through styles instead.
How do I create custom outline numbering in WPS Writer?
Click Home > Multilevel List > Define New Multilevel List. Set each level's number format and link the level to a paragraph style such as Heading 1, then click OK.
Why does my document keep applying an unwanted multilevel list?
The text is likely using a list style or direct list formatting. Apply the desired paragraph style after selecting the text, or copy the content into a new document to remove old list definitions.
How do I delete a custom multilevel list style?
Open the Styles pane, click Manage Styles, choose the list style on the Edit tab, and click Delete. You can delete custom styles, but not built-in gallery entries.
Will my custom multilevel list survive when I open the document in Microsoft Word?
Yes. When you save as a .docx file and link numbering to paragraph styles, WPS Office Writer preserves the numbering structure in Word-compatible documents.
