How to Create and Format a Microsoft Word Table of Contents

Crafting the perfect document navigator

3 min. read

Updated onAugust 29, 2024

updated onAugust 29, 2024

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Whenever you come across a multiple-page Microsoft Word document, navigating through content scanning through hundreds of pages can be time-consuming and that’s why a table of contents comes in handy.

Not only does it provide structure to the document but also, helps in navigation, improves readability and can help you come up with a quick outline of the document.

How do I create and format a table of contents in Microsoft Word?

1. Create a Table of contents

2. Format Table of contents

Once you’ve created your table of contents, you may want to format it to a specific style or even edit out some information. If you’re not pleased with the templates provided, you can create a custom ToC.

A custom table of contents allows you to exchange page numbers for hyperlinks and select levels of headings to show. The hyperlinks option works best withMicrosoft Word online.

3. Update Table of contents

With time, you may need to modify your document by deleting or adding new sections. As such, you’ll need to update your table of contents to reflect the changes.

Troubleshoot common issues that may arise when formatting a table of contents

There’s so much more you can do with Microsoft Word so don’t just stop at creating a table of contents. You can alsocreate your own fillable form,remove the watermark from your documents, orset up two columns.

And should you encounter any issues with formatting, you can alwaysreset Microsoft Word back to default settings.

Hopefully, you can easily create your own table of contents given how useful it has proven to be. It will make document navigation easier and provide a structured and organized document.

Word is a versatile tool, and you can alsomake index cards in Word, and we have a guide that will help you do that, so don’t miss it.

To learn more about Word, don’t miss our guide on how tomake a copy of a Word document.

Have you created a table of contents in Word? How easy or difficult was it and what issues did you encounter? We’d love to get your feedback so drop us a comment down below.

How to Create and Format a Microsoft Word Table of Contents#

How do I create and format a table of contents in Microsoft Word?#

1. Create a Table of contents#

2. Format Table of contents#

3. Update Table of contents#

Troubleshoot common issues that may arise when formatting a table of contents#