MS Word – Create a Table of Contents

When creating or editing a long document you may benefit from creating a Table of Contents for the document as finding the clauses/paragraphs you wish to look at can be time consuming and tedious.

The Benefits of a Table of Contents

Once created if you change the document i.e. add new paragraphs or alter page numbers, word can update the table of contents instantly.

Table of Contents is not just of benefit in a printed document but if browsing online, readers will be able to click on the headings within the table and be instantly transported to the relevant page/paragraph by the use of hyperlinks.

Default settings

Word will automatically look for headings that are formatted in Heading 1, Heading 2 and Heading 3 styles to insert into a table of contents, however you can just as easily tell word specifically which styles/headings you wish to be included within a table of contents.  This will give you control over what will appear in the table.

Design Tips

Keep it simple and consistent.  Plan how you want it to look i.e. is it main headings only, are you including sub-headings do these need indenting etc. Ensure your document contains consistent styles otherwise you will encounter unexpected results.

 Create a Table of Contents

• Click where you wish the contents page to be inserted (You may wish to have this in a separate section)
• Select References Tab
• From the Table of Contents ribbon click Table of Contents
• Select a pre-defined Table of Contents from the options given or Select Insert Table of Contents from the bottom of the list.
• Select the format and levels required and check the box, if you wish to show page numbers
• Select the Tab Leader you wish to use.
• Choose the Style for your Table of Contents by clicking on the Formats menu.
• Next choose the number of Style levels you wish to include
• Click on the Options button from the Table of Contents screen
• The Table of Contents is now inserted

 

Further Information

See the Guide and video below for further instruction. More hints and tips on Table of Contents will follow on this website and training sessions can be provided in accordance with your requirements on application.

Look out for future blogs on Formatting Tables of Contents and Problem Solving Table of Contents

Guide – MS Word – Create a Table of Contents