Google Docs: Set or remove list bullets — MCP tool

Google Docs MCP tool: Turns paragraphs into a bulleted or numbered list, or strips their bullets.

Technical name: set_paragraph_bullets

What task it solves

I want to make a list out of paragraphs.

Turns paragraphs into a bulleted or numbered list, or strips their bullets.

When to use it

Use it after inserting the item lines with insert_text (one paragraph per item; leading tabs create nesting levels). Apply a bullet preset over the range, or remove=true to turn a list back into plain paragraphs.

What to provide

• document_id, start_index, end_index — required.
• preset — one of disc, arrow, checkbox, star, diamond (bulleted) or decimal, decimal_parens, decimal_nested, upper_alpha, upper_roman, zero_decimal (numbered).
• remove — true strips existing bullets. Exactly one of preset/remove is required.
• tab_id — optional.

What it returns

The batchUpdate reply with the new revisionId.

What changes in Google Docs

Every paragraph overlapping the range joins (or leaves) a list. Leading tab characters are consumed as nesting levels when bullets are applied.

Example request

Turn these five lines into a checkbox list.

Errors and limitations

Passing both preset and remove, or neither, is rejected before any API call. Nesting depends on leading tabs already present in the text.

Access also depends on token permissions, quotas, and upstream API limits.

Related MCP tools

• Insert text — insert_text
• Style paragraphs — style_paragraph

Technical details

• Impact: destructive operation
• Group: Styles and lists
• Description source: set_paragraph_bullets registration in src/tools/styles.ts
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