An ordered list is a sequence of items presented with a specific, meaningful order (e.g., steps, ranking, or timeline). Key points:
- Purpose: shows sequence, priority, procedure, or ranking.
- Markers: typically numbers (1., 2., 3.), letters (a., b., c.), or Roman numerals (I., II., III.).
- Use cases: instructions, recipes, checklists, timelines, top-N lists, ranked comparisons.
- Best practices:
- Keep each item concise and parallel in structure.
- Use numbered steps for processes that must be followed in order.
- For optional or non-sequential items, use a bulleted list instead.
- Nest lists only when necessary; reset numbering clearly for new sections.
- Use brief headings or bold lead-ins for clarity when items are long.
- Accessibility: include semantic ordered-list markup (e.g., HTML
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When to avoid: when order doesn’t matter, when items are categories rather than steps, or when ranking could mislead.
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