Formatting Issues

How to Underline Only Heading Text in a Word Multilevel List

Olivia Miller Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to apply underline formatting strictly to the heading text in a document, ensuring the multilevel list outline numbers remain without an underline and the Table of Contents generates correctly.

How to Underline Only Heading Text in a Word Multilevel List

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Applying specific font styles to document headings containing a multilevel list, while preparing a standard Table of Contents.
Observed behavior: When applying underline formatting to a heading style, both the outline number and the heading text become underlined simultaneously.

Before you start

Ensure your document headings are properly linked to a multilevel list style before modifying the individual list level properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Underline Formatting from the List Number

Modify the font settings of the specific multilevel list level to turn off the underline formatting for the outline number.

By default, list numbers inherit the font formatting applied to the heading paragraph. Instead of removing the underline from your heading style, you must explicitly tell the multilevel list settings not to underline the number.

Select the level-one heading

Click anywhere inside the first level-one heading item in your document that currently has both the number and text underlined.

Access Multilevel List settings

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon, click the 'Multilevel List' icon in the Paragraph group, and select 'Define New Multilevel List' from the dropdown menu.

Modify the font for the specific level

In the dialog box, choose the list level you wish to modify from the left column (e.g., Level 1). Click the 'Font' button located next to the 'Enter formatting for number' field.

Turn off the underline style

In the Font dialog box, locate the 'Underline style' dropdown menu and change it to 'None'. Click 'OK' to close the Font dialog, then click 'OK' again to apply your changes to the multilevel list.

Remove Underline Formatting from the List Number

Table of Contents Preserved: This method ensures your outline numbers remain fully functional and will still appear correctly when you update your Table of Contents.

Format Multilevel Lists Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive and powerful word processor that makes managing complex document formatting, such as multilevel lists and Tables of Contents, incredibly simple.

1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file containing the headings and multilevel lists.
2. Open Bullets and Numbering: Click on your numbered heading. Go to the Home tab, click the Multilevel List icon, and select 'Custom List'.
3. Adjust the Number Font: Select the appropriate outline level, click the 'Font' button, set the underline style to 'None', and confirm the changes.
4. Update your Table of Contents: Navigate to the References tab and click 'Update TOC' to ensure your formatting applies perfectly across the document.

Precise font control for individual multilevel list elements.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.doc and .docx).One-click Table of Contents generation and updating.Lightweight, fast, and completely free for everyday word processing.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does underlining my heading style also underline the number?

By default, list and outline numbers inherit the base font formatting applied to the paragraph's heading style. If the heading text is underlined, the number will be too, unless specifically overridden in the list's font settings.

Will modifying the list font affect my Table of Contents?

No. As long as you only change the underline style via the 'Define New Multilevel List' dialog, the Table of Contents will continue to recognize the heading style and display the outline numbers correctly.

How do I fix the underline formatting for multiple heading levels?

You must select each level individually within the 'Define New Multilevel List' dialog box. Click on Level 1, update the Font settings, then click Level 2, update its Font settings, and so on before finally clicking OK.

Can I change the color of the outline number independently of the heading text?

Yes. Using the exact same method (Define New Multilevel List > Font), you can change the font color of the number without altering the color of the main heading text.

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