New E-learning
Lists
A list groups elements of the same nature into an enumeration, either ordered (steps, ranking) or unordered (equivalent items). Structuring it this way announces the nature and number of elements and makes it easier to locate information within the content.
On this page
Choice of type
- Bulleted list: items of the same level, with no imposed order
- Numbered list: sequence, procedure, chronology, ranking
Prohibited
- Simulating a list with dashes, line breaks, tabs, or graphic bullets placed next to the text: the semantics is lost and the learner no longer hears the number of items.
- Using a list as a layout tool.
When to use a list
- Enumerating elements of the same nature: criteria, benefits, required materials.
- Procedure or chronology: use an ordered list whenever the order of steps matters.
- Lightening a dense paragraph into identifiable points.
When not to use a list
- Layout: do not use a bulleted list to align or space out elements with no logical relationship.
- Two-dimensional data (criterion × value): use a table.
- Manually typed bullets (dashes, symbols) instead of the list function.
On this page
Implementation
- Enter the list within a single text box
- Home → Paragraph group → bullets or numbering
- Never recreate a list by hand
Structure
- Introduce the list with a context sentence ending in a colon.
- Reserve numbering for sequences that are genuinely ordered: a numbered list announces a progression.
- Two nesting levels maximum.
Writing
- Consistent grammatical construction from one item to the next.
- One idea per item, one to two lines.
- No full sentence followed by a fragment within the same list.
On this page
Keyboard interaction
Expected rendering: a screen reader announces the nature of the list, its number of items, and the position of each one ("1 of 5"). This is the fastest validation test: if the number of items is not announced, the list is not semantic.
Expected reading order
- Slide title
- Context sentence introducing the list
- Items, in visual order
- Subsequent elements and buttons
Progressive appearance: if items are animated in paragraph by paragraph, the reading order must follow the order of appearance, and the focus indicator must stay aligned with the item.