Writing & StyleStyle guide

Multi-paragraph List Items

Multi-paragraph list items are appropriate when several short paragraphs belong to one logical item. Microsoft allows a couple of short paragraphs within an item but advises against letting long items become the normal list pattern.

Quick answer

A list item can contain more than one short paragraph when the paragraphs belong to the same item, but frequent long multi-paragraph items are a sign the material may need another structure.

Key details

Core Issuewhen a single list item contains more than one paragraph
Phrase Rolelist-item structure
Registerprofessional and technical writing

Important caveats

Length Boundary

Microsoft allows a couple of short paragraphs in a list item but recommends not making that a frequent pattern.

Structure Boundary

Additional paragraphs must remain visually and semantically inside the same list item rather than appearing to start a new peer item.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Lists (opens in a new tab)Microsoft Style Guide · Bulleted lists for unordered related items and numbered lists for sequences or priorities

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