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How to Reset Word List Galleries on Mac (Delete ListGal.dat)
Question details
The user wants to restore customized numbered-list, bulleted-list, and multilevel-list galleries in Microsoft Word for macOS to their default states.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Fixing broken, cluttered, or overly customized list galleries without resetting the entire Word Normal.dotm template.
- Observed behavior
- List galleries need to be cleared and restored to default settings by removing the specific configuration file.
Ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed before modifying system files to prevent the application from overwriting your changes upon exit.
Delete or Rename the ListGal.dat File in macOS
This method forces Word to regenerate the default list galleries upon the next launch without affecting other template settings in Normal.dotm.
Microsoft Word for Mac stores the history and customization of your bulleted and numbered lists in a specific hidden system file called ListGal.dat.
By removing this file while Word is closed, you prompt the software to automatically generate a fresh configuration file upon the next startup, effectively resetting your list galleries to their default state.
Make sure Microsoft Word is completely closed. You can do this by clicking 'Word' in the top menu bar and selecting 'Quit Word'.
Click on the Finder icon in your Mac dock, then press Shift-Command-G on your keyboard to open the 'Go to Folder' window.
Copy and paste the following path into the search box and press Return: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/ListGal.dat
Right-click the ListGal.dat file and select 'Move to Trash'. Alternatively, you can rename it to 'ListGal.old' if you want to keep a backup.
Reopen Microsoft Word. The application will automatically regenerate a fresh, default set of numbered, bulleted, and multilevel list galleries.
Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless and Lightweight Experience
Tired of dealing with hidden system files and complex resets in Microsoft Word? Try WPS Office. It provides a robust, user-friendly Word processor that emphasizes a lightweight system footprint, free core features, and a familiar UI that makes migration completely seamless.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the lightweight installation package for macOS directly from the official WPS website.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the application, then launch WPS Writer.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Seamlessly open your existing Word (.docx) files and easily manage your list formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting ListGal.dat affect my other Word settings?
No, deleting this specific file only resets the bulleted, numbered, and multilevel list galleries. Your overall document template, margins, fonts, and styles saved in the Normal.dotm file remain completely unaffected.
Why can't I find the ListGal.dat file manually on my Mac?
The Library folder and its subfolders are hidden by default in macOS to prevent accidental system changes. Using the Shift-Command-G shortcut in Finder is the easiest way to bypass this and navigate directly to the hidden Microsoft support directory.
What should I do if the list galleries don't reset after deleting the file?
Ensure Microsoft Word was completely closed (quit) before you deleted the file. If Word was running in the background, it may rewrite the old corrupted file upon closing. Quit Word entirely, delete the file again, and relaunch the application.
