Apps Script for Docs that updates all list items to bullets

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Below is a Google Apps Script that you can use to update all list items in a Google Document to bullets:


function updateListItemsToBullets() {
  // Open the active document
  var document = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = document.getBody();
  
  // Get all paragraphs in the document
  var paragraphs = body.getParagraphs();
  
  for (var i = 0; i < paragraphs.length; i++) {
    var paragraph = paragraphs[i];
    // Check if the paragraph is a list item
    if (paragraph.getIndentStart() !== null) { // If paragraph has a start indent, it's part of a list
      // Retrieve the list item's attributes
      var attributes = paragraph.getAttributes();
      // Check if it's part of a list
      if (attributes[DocumentApp.Attribute.LIST_ID] !== null) {
        // Retrieve the list ID and list item's nesting level
        var listId = attributes[DocumentApp.Attribute.LIST_ID];
        var nestingLevel = attributes[DocumentApp.Attribute.NESTING_LEVEL] || 0; // Default to 0 if undefined
        // Convert the list item to a bullet
        body.getListItems().forEach(function(listItem) {
          var listItemAttributes = listItem.getAttributes();
          if (listItemAttributes[DocumentApp.Attribute.LIST_ID] === listId) {
            body.setListItemGlyphType(listItem, nestingLevel, DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET);
          }
        });
      }
    }
  }
}

To use this script:

  1. Open your Google Document.
  2. Click on Extensions > Apps Script.
  3. Delete any code in the script editor and replace it with the script above.
  4. Save the script with a name you’ll remember.
  5. Run the function updateListItemsToBullets by clicking on the run button (play icon) or by selecting the function name and then clicking the run button.
  6. Return to your Google Document, and you should see all list items updated to bullets.

Note: This script will change all types of lists (both numbered and bulleted) to bulleted lists. If you need a more specific script (for example, one that only changes numbered lists to bulleted lists), you might need to add additional checks based on the list’s current glyph type.