Create a table of contents

The easiest way to create a table of contents is to use the built-in outline-level formats or heading styles. If you are already using outline-level formats or built-in heading styles, follow these steps:

  1. Click where you want to insert the table of contents.
  2. On the Insert menu, point to Reference, and click Index and Tables.
  3. Click the Table of Contents tab.
  4. To use one of the available designs, click a design in the Formats box.
  5. Select any other table of contents options you want.

If you aren't currently using outline levels or built-in styles, do one of the following:

Create a table of contents from outline levels 

  1. On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and click Outlining.
  2. Select the first heading that you want to appear in the table of contents.
  3. On the Outlining toolbar, select the outline level that you want to associate with the selected paragraph.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each heading that you want to include in the table of contents.
  5. Click where you want to insert the table of contents.
  6. On the Insert menu, point to Reference, and click Index and Tables.
  7. Click the Table of Contents tab.
  8. To use one of the available designs, click a design in the Formats box.
  9. Select any other table of contents options you want.

Create a table of contents from custom styles

If you've already applied custom styles to your headings, you can tell Microsoft Word which styles to use when it's building the table of contents.

  1. Click where you want to insert the table of contents.
  2. On the Insert menu, point to References, and click Index and Tables.
  3. Click the Table of Contents tab.
  4. Click Options.
  5. Under Available styles, find a style you've applied to headings in your document.
  6. Under TOC level, to the right of the style name, enter a number from 1 to 9 to indicate the level you want that heading style to represent.

    Note  If you want to use only custom styles, remove the TOC level numbers for the built-in styles, such as Heading 1.

  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each heading style you want to include in the table of contents.
  8. Click OK.
  9. To use one of the available designs, click a design in the Formats box.
  10. Select any other table of contents options you want.

Create a table of contents from entries you mark yourself

Use the Mark Table of Contents box to insert TOC fields into your document.
  1. Select the first portion of text that you want to include in your table of contents.
  2. Press ALT+SHIFT+O.
  3. In the Level box, select the level and click Mark.
  4. To mark additional entries, select the text, click in the Entry box, and click Mark. When you're done adding entries, click Close.
  5. Click where you want to insert the table of contents.
  6. On the Insert menu, point to Reference, and click Index and Tables.
  7. Click the Table of Contents tab.
  8. Click the Options button.
  9. In the Table of Contents Options box, click to select the Table entry fields check box.
  10. Clear the Styles and Outline levels check boxes.

Notes