How can I get a list starting with a,b,c instead of 1,2,3?

Question

How can I enumerate a list using lowercase letters instead of arabic numerals?

Answer 1

Package enumerate does the work.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumerate}
\begin{document}

\begin{enumerate}[a.]
\item
First
\item
Second
\item
Third
\end{enumerate}

\end{document}

Answer 2

\usepackage{enumitem}
......
\begin{document}

\begin{enumerate}[label=\alph*.]
\item Blablah 1
\item Blablah 2
\item Blablah 3
\end{enumerate}

\end{document}

With the option [shortlabels], you can use [label=a.].

Answer 3

A solution that doesn't require loading any packages: Issue the instruction

\renewcommand{\theenumi}{\alph{enumi}}

Regarding the scope of this redefinition:

• If you want the scope to be global, provide the instruction in the preamble.

• If you want the scope to apply to just one particular enumerate environment, encase the \renewcommand{\theenumi}{\alph{enumi}} directive -- along with the enumerate environment, of course -- in a pair of \begingroup and \endgroup statements.

An MWE:

\documentclass{article}
% Modify only '\theenumi', leave '\labelenumi' unchanged
\renewcommand{\theenumi}{\alph{enumi}}
\begin{document}
\begin{enumerate}
\item Hello. \label{item:first}
\item Bye.   \label{item:second}
\end{enumerate}
A cross-reference to items \ref{item:first} and \ref{item:second}.
\end{document}