How to Insert Table of Contents in Word (Step-by-Step Guide)
Creating a Table of Contents (ToC) in Microsoft Word might seem intimidating at first, especially if you’ve been trying to do it manually. But here’s the good news: Word makes it incredibly easy to insert a fully functional, clickable Table of Contents with just a few clicks.
Whether you’re working on a report, thesis, eBook, or any long document, a well-structured contents page not only improves readability but also helps readers navigate quickly. Instead of scrolling endlessly, they can jump straight to the section they need, thanks to Word’s automatic Table of Contents feature.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make a Table of Contents in Word using heading styles, how to insert it, customize its format, update it after changes, and even troubleshoot common issues. This tutorial works with Microsoft Word versions from 2007 all the way up to 365.
Let’s get started with the smartest way to organize your Word document.
📚 What Is a Table of Contents in Word?
A Table of Contents (TOC) in Microsoft Word is a list of the document’s headings—typically main sections, chapters, and subheadings—presented in order of appearance along with their corresponding page numbers. It serves as a navigation tool for readers and gives your document a professional, organized look.
Unlike a manually typed contents page, Word’s TOC is dynamic and automatic. It pulls information directly from your document’s heading styles (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) and formats everything for you. If you update a heading or move a section, you can update the entire TOC in seconds.
For example:
Heading 1 is typically used for chapters or main sections
Heading 2 is used for subtopics under Heading 1
Heading 3 can represent even deeper levels of content
When you apply these styles, Word will know exactly what to include in your contents page and how to structure it.
This system not only saves time but also eliminates the hassle of manually aligning page numbers or retyping the entire TOC when your document changes.
✅ Why Use an Automatic Table of Contents?
Creating a Table of Contents manually might work for short documents, but for anything more than a few pages, it quickly becomes a nightmare to manage. That’s where Word’s automatic Table of Contents feature comes in.
Here’s why you should always use it:
🔄 1. Automatically Updates with Edits
As you add, remove, or move sections around, the TOC doesn’t break—it just needs a quick refresh to update all headings and page numbers.
⏱ 2. Saves You Time
No need to manually count pages or format spacing. Word generates a professional-looking Table of Contents in seconds, freeing you up to focus on your content.
🔗 3. Creates Clickable Navigation
Each item in the automatic TOC is hyperlinked—clicking an entry takes you straight to that section. This is especially useful for digital documents, PDFs, and eBooks.
🎯 4. Looks More Professional
Word’s TOC comes with built-in formatting that creates a polished, clean layout with indentation, leader dots, and page alignment—no tedious formatting required.
📚 5. Customizable for Any Document
Whether you want to show just chapter titles or include multiple levels of subheadings, Word lets you tailor the TOC to match your structure and style.
🛠 How to Make a Table of Contents in Word (Step-by-Step)
Creating a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word is a two-part process: first, you apply heading styles to the sections you want to include, and then you insert the TOC itself. Follow the steps below to do it the smart, automatic way.
I love learning with examples. If that works for you, too, download the example file below.
To generate a TOC, Word looks for text that uses built-in heading styles like Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3.
✅ Here’s how to apply them:
Select a heading in your document (like a chapter or section title).
Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
In the Styles group, click on Heading 1 for main sections.
Use Heading 2 for subheadings.
Use Heading 3 for additional sub-levels if needed.
Repeat this for every section or subheading you want to appear in your Table of Contents.
📌 Tip: If you only want to show main sections in your TOC, apply just Heading 1. Want sub-sections too? Use Heading 2 and 3 accordingly.
🔹 Step 2: Insert the Table of Contents
Once your headings are in place, it’s time to add the actual contents page.
✅ To insert a Table of Contents:
Place your cursor where you want the TOC to appear (usually after the title page).
Click the References tab.
In the Table of Contents group, click Table of Contents.
Choose Automatic Table 1 or Automatic Table 2.
🆚 Automatic Table 1 starts with the heading “Contents” 🆚 Automatic Table 2 uses “Table of Contents” as the heading
Word will instantly scan your document for styled headings and build your TOC complete with page numbers and indentation.
⚠️ Important: If you see an error like “No table of contents entries found”, it means you didn’t apply any heading styles. Go back to Step 1 and check.
After inserting the Table of Contents, take a moment to observe how Word structures it.
All your Heading 1 styles—typically used for chapters or major sections—are listed at the top level. Then, any text formatted with Heading 2 or Heading 3 styles appears indented beneath its parent heading, clearly showing the document’s hierarchy.
This smart use of indentation not only reflects the logical structure of your content but also makes your Table of Contents more readable and visually appealing.
✨ And the best part? Word does all this for you automatically. Just imagine how much time you’d waste trying to manually align titles and page numbers every time your document changes.
🔄 How to Update a Table of Contents in Word
One of the biggest advantages of using an automatic Table of Contents is that you can update it instantly when your document changes. Whether you add new sections, move content around, or update headings—Word can refresh your TOC in just a few clicks.
✅ When Should You Update the TOC?
You should update the Table of Contents any time you:
Right-click anywhere inside the Table of Contents.
Click Update Field from the context menu.
You’ll see a prompt with two options:
Update page numbers only: Choose this if you’ve moved content but haven’t changed any headings.
Update entire table: Choose this if you’ve added, removed, or renamed headings.
Click OK and Word will refresh your TOC based on the current structure of your document.
💡 Pro tip: You can also click inside the TOC and press F9 on your keyboard as a quick update shortcut.
Keeping your contents page up to date takes seconds, and it ensures that your readers always get an accurate overview of your document, without you doing any manual formatting.
✏️ How to Edit the Table of Contents in Word
After inserting your Table of Contents, you might want to customize its look or control which headings appear. Word makes it easy to edit both the appearance and the structure of your TOC.
🎨 Customize the TOC Appearance
If you want to change how your contents page looks, such as the font, spacing, or indentation, you can modify the formatting just like any other part of your document.
To edit the style:
Click inside the Table of Contents.
Go to the References tab.
Click Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents.
In the dialog that appears, click Modify.
Select a TOC style level (TOC 1, TOC 2, TOC 3…) and click Modify again.
Use the formatting options to change font, size, color, alignment, and spacing.
Click OK to apply.
🔹 TOC 1 = Heading 1 entries, TOC 2 = Heading 2 entries, and so on.
This lets you match the look of your TOC to the rest of your document—whether you need a clean academic layout, a modern report style, or a branded format.
🔧 Change Which Headings Appear
If you only want certain heading levels to show in the TOC (e.g., just Heading 1 and 2), you can limit the depth.
To adjust heading levels:
Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents.
Under the “Show levels” dropdown, choose how many heading levels you want displayed (e.g., 2 for just Heading 1 and 2).
Click OK, then confirm to replace the existing TOC.
This gives you control over how detailed your contents page is. Use fewer levels for simplicity, or more for technical documents that need full structure.
🖊 Change the Table of Contents Title
The default title is “Contents” or “Table of Contents.” But you might prefer a more custom title to match your document’s tone or context.
To rename the TOC title:
Click just above the TOC where the default title is placed.
Type your custom title (e.g., “Report Overview” or “Chapters”).
Apply a heading style to it (optional) if you want the title itself to appear in the TOC.
Customizing the TOC title adds personality to your document and helps align it with your report, thesis, or presentation theme.
🛠️ How to Create a Custom Table of Contents in Word
If Word’s default TOC options (Automatic Table 1 or 2) don’t quite fit your needs, you can build your own using the Custom Table of Contents feature. This gives you complete control over the format, depth, and behavior of the Table of Contents—perfect for advanced users or when working on formal reports, books, or academic documents.
🔹 Steps to Insert a Custom Table of Contents
✅ Step 1: Apply Heading Styles to Your Content
Before customizing your TOC, you must ensure your document’s headings use built-in styles like Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3.
Highlight a section title or chapter heading.
Go to the Home tab → In the Styles group, select Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3 as needed.
💬 Why this matters: The TOC pulls content based on these heading styles—no styles, no TOC entries. This also determines the hierarchy and indentation in your contents page.
✅ Step 2: Place the Cursor Where You Want the TOC
Click to position your insertion point on the page where the Table of Contents should appear—usually after the title page or before your introduction.
💬 Why this matters: Placing the TOC correctly ensures it doesn’t interfere with the body of your document. You can even insert a page break beforehand to keep it isolated on its own page.
✅ Step 3: Go to References → Table of Contents → Custom Table of Contents
Click the References tab.
In the Table of Contents group, click Table of Contents, then choose Custom Table of Contents at the bottom of the dropdown.
💬 Why this matters: This opens the full settings window where you can configure layout, page numbers, heading levels, and more—far beyond what the default presets allow.
✅ Step 4: Adjust Page Number Settings
In the dialog box, check or uncheck:
Show page numbers: Display page numbers next to TOC items.
Right-align page numbers: Align numbers neatly on the right.
Tab leader: Choose the style of dots or lines between headings and page numbers.
💬 Why this matters: These options control how clean and readable your TOC looks. Aligning page numbers with dots improves scanning and makes it easier to print professionally.
✅ Step 5: Choose Web/Print Display Options
In the same dialog, under Web Preview, you’ll see the option:
Use hyperlinks instead of page numbers.
This is useful if you’re publishing an eBook, PDF, or online document where page numbers are less meaningful.
💬 Why this matters: Enabling hyperlinks creates a clickable TOC, allowing readers to navigate your digital document instantly—especially important for long reports and online publications.
✅ Step 6: Set the Number of Heading Levels
Look for the Show levels box and choose how many heading levels you want (e.g., 2 for Heading 1 and 2 only; 3 for more depth).
💬 Why this matters: Controlling heading levels helps balance detail and readability. For short documents, stick to 1–2 levels. For technical or academic writing, show 3–4 levels to reflect the full outline.
✅ Step 7: Click OK to Insert Your Custom TOC
Once you’ve reviewed all the settings, click OK. Word will insert the customized TOC at your chosen location using the options you selected.
📝 Optional Tip: Use Page or Section Breaks
To keep your TOC on a page by itself:
Insert a page break before and after the TOC via Insert > Break > Page Break.
💬 Why this matters: This ensures your contents page doesn’t clash with the rest of your content—and looks clean and professional when exported to PDF or printed.
🛠 Common Table of Contents Errors and How to Fix Them
Even with Word’s powerful Table of Contents tools, users sometimes run into confusing messages or formatting issues. Below are the most common TOC errors and exactly how to solve them—so you never get stuck.
❌ 1. “No Table of Contents Entries Found” Error
This message appears when Word can’t find any heading styles to generate the TOC.
✅ Fix:
Go through your document and apply Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3 styles to the sections you want to appear in the Table of Contents.
Then go back and reinsert or update the TOC.
💬 Why this works: Word uses heading styles to identify what should appear in the TOC. Without these styles, it has no structure to follow.
❌ 2. TOC Is Missing Some Headings
Sometimes your table includes top-level headings (like Heading 1) but skips subheadings (like Heading 2 or 3).
✅ Fix:
Make sure the missing headings are actually formatted using Heading 2 or Heading 3 (not bold text or manual formatting).
Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents and increase the Show levels value (e.g., from 2 to 3).
Click OK and update the TOC.
💬 Why this works: By default, Word may only display 2 levels. If you’ve used deeper heading styles, you need to manually tell Word to include them.
❌ 3. TOC Displays Field Code ({TOC \o “1-3” \h \z \u}) Instead of a List
If your TOC shows curly braces and strange characters instead of a formatted contents list, you’re seeing the underlying field code.
✅ Fix:
Press Alt + F9 on your keyboard to toggle from field code view to the regular view.
If that doesn’t work, try right-clicking the code and choosing Update Field or Toggle Field Codes.
💬 Why this works: Word stores TOCs as fields. Sometimes, field codes display by accident (especially when editing long documents or templates). Alt+F9 flips it back to the readable version.
❌ 4. TOC Doesn’t Reflect Recent Changes
If you’ve added new sections or moved content around but your Table of Contents hasn’t updated to match, it just needs to be refreshed.
✅ Fix:
Click inside the TOC.
Press F9 or right-click and select Update Field.
Choose either:
Update page numbers only (if headings haven’t changed)
Update entire table (if you’ve added or renamed headings)
💬 Why this works: Word doesn’t update the TOC automatically—you must trigger it manually after making structural changes.
💡 Bonus Tips for Working with Table of Contents in Word
Once you’ve mastered the basics, these bonus tips will help you work smarter and get more out of your Table of Contents in Microsoft Word—whether you’re publishing a thesis, a business proposal, or an eBook.
🔗 1. Use Hyperlinked Table of Contents for Digital Documents
By default, Word inserts clickable TOC entries—meaning readers can Ctrl+Click any item to jump to that section.
To verify or enable:
Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents
Make sure “Use hyperlinks instead of page numbers” is checked
💬 Why this helps: For PDFs, eBooks, and reports shared digitally, hyperlinks make navigation seamless—no scrolling required.
📄 2. Add a Page Break Before and After Your TOC
To keep your TOC on a clean, dedicated page:
Click above your TOC and press Ctrl + Enter to insert a page break.
Do the same after the TOC if your content starts immediately below it.
💬 Why this helps: This ensures your TOC stands alone, looks polished in print, and prevents formatting clashes with surrounding content.
✍️ 3. Add the TOC to Your Templates
If you regularly write reports or documents with the same format, save time by adding a pre-built TOC to your Word template file (.dotx).
Create a new Word document
Add a TOC and save as a template via File > Save As > Word Template
💬 Why this helps: Every new document you create from the template will already have a TOC in place—just apply heading styles and update it.
🖥️ 4. Use the Navigation Pane Alongside the TOC
Go to View > Navigation Pane to enable Word’s sidebar outline.
This shows a live view of your headings, making it easy to:
See the structure of your document
Jump to any section
Reorganize content via drag-and-drop
💬 Why this helps: It complements the TOC and helps you write, edit, and structure long documents more efficiently.
⌨️ 5. Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed
Update TOC:F9
Toggle Field Codes:Alt + F9
Insert Page Break:Ctrl + Enter
💬 Why this helps: Shortcuts save time—especially useful when you’re editing long documents under deadline.
✅ Conclusion
A well-structured Table of Contents in Word does more than organize your document—it adds professionalism, improves navigation, and saves you from hours of manual formatting.
Thanks to Microsoft Word’s built-in features, you can easily create, customize, update, and fix your TOC with just a few clicks. Whether you’re working on a thesis, business report, or a user manual, mastering this feature helps you write smarter, not harder.
And now that you’ve learned how to:
Apply heading styles
Insert a Table of Contents
Customize and format it
Troubleshoot common issues
And even enhance it with hyperlinks and templates…
You’re fully equipped to make your documents look polished and professional every time.
If you found this guide helpful, consider bookmarking it or sharing it with a friend or colleague who works with Word documents regularly.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments section—I’m here to help!
Your suggestions to make a Table of Contents when the error message shows don't work. I know how to do all sorts of things with Tables of Contents, but the document I am working on won't create one.
GLORIA WEBB
Thursday 13th of April 2023
Your suggestions to make a Table of Contents when the error message shows don't work. I know how to do all sorts of things with Tables of Contents, but the document I am working on won't create one.