A Word table of contents is a field that reads your heading styles. Get the headings right and Word writes the entries, page numbers and clickable links for you, and rebuilds them whenever the document changes.
- Apply heading styles
- Insert an automatic table of contents
- Update the table of contents
- Create a custom table of contents (levels, page numbers, dot leaders)
Applying heading styles to your titles
Use this when your section titles are formatted by hand, with bold or a bigger font.
- Select a top-level title.
- On the Home tab, choose Heading 1 in the Styles gallery.
- Apply Heading 2 to subsections and Heading 3 to the level below.
Shortcuts: Ctrl + Alt + 1, 2 or 3 on Windows; Cmd + Option + 1, 2 or 3 on Mac.
Result: Each title has a level Word can read. You can restyle the headings later without breaking the table.
Tip: Want “1, 1.1, 1.1.1” in front of each entry? Set up numbered headings in Word first. The numbers carry into the table of contents.
Inserting an automatic table of contents
Use this when you want a standard table that Word builds and keeps up to date.
- Click where the table should go, usually on a blank page after the title page.
- Go to References > Table of Contents.
- Choose Automatic Table 1 or Automatic Table 2.
Result: Word lists every Heading 1 to Heading 3 with its page number. On Windows, hold Ctrl and click an entry to jump to that section.
Note: Avoid Manual Table. It only inserts placeholder text that you type yourself, and Word can’t update it. Microsoft explains this in insert a table of contents.
Updating the table of contents
Use this when you have added, renamed or moved headings, or page numbers have shifted.
Word doesn’t refresh the table on its own. Update it before you print, share or save the document as a PDF.
- Click anywhere in the table of contents.
- Go to References > Update Table. You can also click Update Table at the top of the table, or press F9 on Windows.
- Choose Update entire table and click OK.
Result: New and renamed headings appear and every page number is correct.
According to Microsoft’s update a table of contents page, Update page numbers only ignores heading text changes. Choose Update entire table unless you edited the table by hand and want to keep those edits.
Creating a custom table of contents
Use this when you need fewer levels, no page numbers, or a different line between entry and number.
- Click in the table, or where a new one should go.
- Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents.
- Set the options you need:
- Show page numbers and Right align page numbers.
- Tab leader: dots, dashes, a solid line or (none). The same dot leaders can add dotted lines in Word anywhere else.
- Formats: a preset look, such as Classic, Formal or Simple.
- Show levels: how many heading levels to include.
- Click OK. If Word asks to replace the current table, click Yes.
Result: The table keeps updating from your headings but uses your layout.
To change the font of the entries, click Modify in the same dialog. If Modify is greyed out, set Formats to From template first, as described in format or customize a table of contents.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Best for | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Table 1 or 2 | Most reports and papers | Windows, Mac, web |
| Update Table | Refreshing entries and page numbers after edits | Windows, Mac, web |
| Custom Table of Contents | Levels, dot leaders, hiding page numbers | Windows, Mac |
Platform differences
- Windows: all steps apply. F9 updates the selected table.
- Mac: the same References > Table of Contents menu and Custom Table of Contents dialog are available.
- Word for the web: go to References > Table of Contents > Insert Table of Contents. To refresh it, right-click the table and choose Update Table of Contents. Custom options need the desktop app.
- Google Docs: the steps differ. See how to create a table of contents in Google Docs.
Troubleshooting the table of contents
- “No table of contents entries found”: none of your titles use heading styles. Apply Heading 1 to at least one, then update the table.
- A heading is missing: it isn’t using a heading style, or its level is deeper than Show levels. Fix the style or raise the level count.
- Body text appears in the table: that paragraph has an outline level. Open Paragraph settings and set Outline level to Body Text.
- “Error! Bookmark not defined”: the table points to deleted headings. Choose Update entire table.
- Page numbers are wrong in the PDF: update the table right before exporting.
- The cover’s letterhead repeats on the contents page: put the header on the first page only with Different First Page.
- Table numbering starts after the cover: use section breaks to start page numbers from a specific page, then update the table.
To remove the table, go to References > Table of Contents > Remove Table of Contents. For more structure and layout guides, see the Microsoft Word guides.