How can I re-use and re-colour non-standard bullet symbols in PowerPoint?

Question

How can I re-use and re-colour non-standard bullet symbols in PowerPoint?

Anonymous

I have a PowerPoint 365 file that includes master slide layouts that use a non-standard symbol for bullet points. I need to re-use and re-colour the same symbol elsewhere in the file, outside of master layout text frames, but cannot find where the symbol has come from and the colour options in the ‘Bullets and Numbering’ pop-up menu are greyed out. How can I fix this?

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3 answers

Answer 1

Hi Wilson,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Community.

I understand you're working with a PowerPoint 365 file that uses a non-standard bullet symbol from the master slide, and you'd like to re-use and re-colour it elsewhere in your presentation. I’d be happy to guide you through the process.

Step 1: Identify the Bullet Symbol

Go to a slide that uses the bullet style you want to replicate.
Select the text box and go to the line with the custom bullet.
On the Home tab, click the “Bullets” dropdown.
Choose “Bullets and Numbering…”.
In the dialog, click “Customize…” to open the Symbol window.
The symbol at the beginning of that line will automatically appear in the Symbol window.
Click OK
Note the symbol, font, color and character code used (if needed)

Step 2: Re-use the Symbol Elsewhere

Go to the slide where you want to use the same bullet.
Insert a new text box and type your list.
Select the list, then go to Home > Bullets > Bullets and Numbering….
Enter the same character color.
Click Customize… and:
- Choose used Symbol at Recent used symbols.
- Click OK to apply.
The symbol will be appear at Bullets and Numbering window
Click OK > Change symbol at the beginning of line

Step 3: Change the Bullet Color

If the color option is greyed out, it’s likely because:

The bullet is inherited from the Slide Master.
Or the bullet is using a symbol font that doesn’t support color.

To fix this:

In the Bullets and Numbering dialog, click Customize….
Choose a symbol from a font that supports color (e.g., Segoe UI Symbol, Wingdings, or Arial Unicode).
After selecting the symbol, return to the Bullets and Numbering dialog.
Now the Color dropdown should be active—choose your desired color.

Tips:

If the bullet is part of a theme, changing the theme color may also affect it.
You can also copy and paste a text box with the styled bullet and edit the text to maintain formatting.

Please let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.

Best Regards,

Hani-N - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi Hani-M

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately the steps you describe don't help me, as I'm unable to identify the symbol – the symbols menu under 'Bullets and Numbering' tells me it is a rounded bullet, which it certainly isn't. I think, however, that your suggestion that the symbol used doesn't support colour is correct, so it seems I can only paste the format as it is and will just have to live with the colour problem.

Kind regards

Wilson5001

Answer 3

Anonymous

Hi Wilson,

Have you tried the suggested tips and did they work?

Please try to find the above symbols and color changing steps on an unedited PowerPoint file to see if it works.

Warm Regards,

Hani-N - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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