This tutorial shows how to add heading numbers to table titles and figure captions in Microsoft Word. First, we will add heading numbers to new table titles and figure captions. Then, we will add heading numbers to existing table titles and figure captions.
Heading numbers can be chapter numbers, section numbers, article numbers, or any other numbering scheme created with Word’s Multilevel List tool.
These steps assume you have already added numbers to your headings. If you haven’t, please see “How to Add and Modify Heading Numbers in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac).”
Table of Contents
- How to Add Heading Numbers to New Table Titles and Figure Captions
- How to Add Heading Numbers to Existing Table Titles and Figure Captions
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The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac (a.k.a., Word for Mac), Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. In addition, the steps will be similar for older versions of the software.
How to Add Heading Numbers to New Table Titles and Figure Captions
This section includes the basic steps for inserting table titles and figure captions. For a complete tutorial, please see “How to Insert Figure Captions and Table Titles in Microsoft Word.”
- Right-click (PC) or Control-click (Mac) on the first figure or table in your document.
- Select Insert Caption from the shortcut menu.
Alternative: Select the figure or table and then select Insert Caption from the References tab in the ribbon.
- Select Figure or Table from the Label menu in the Caption dialog box.
- Select Above selected item or Below selected item from the Position menu.
The default option for Figure is Below selected item. The default option for Table is Above selected item. These defaults will be appropriate for most situations.
- Select the Numbering button (PC) or Format button (Mac).
- Select Include chapter number in the Caption Numbering dialog box. Although this option says “chapter,” it will apply to any header numbers that you have already established.
- Select the heading level you want to start with in the Chapter starts with style menu.
- Select hyphen, period, colon, em-dash, or en-dash from the Use separator menu.
- Select the OK button.
- Type your caption or title after the label and number in the Caption text box.
- Select the OK button.
Your new figure caption or table title should appear with the chapter or section number.
As you add new figure captions or table titles, they should maintain the heading number format you just created.
Important Note: This process only applies to table titles or figure captions. If you have table titles and figure captions in your document, repeat the previous steps as necessary.
How to Add Heading Numbers to Existing Table Titles and Figure Captions
This section shows how to update existing table titles and figure captions to include heading numbers.
- Select the entire first title or caption.
- Select the References tab in the ribbon.
- Select the Insert Caption button in the Captions group.
- Select the Numbering button (PC) or Format button (Mac) in the Caption dialog box (see figures 4 and 5).
- Select Include chapter number (see figure 6).
- Select the heading level you want to start with in the Chapter starts with style menu (see figure 7).
- Select hyphen, period, colon, em-dash, or en-dash from the Use separator menu (see figure 8).
- Select the OK button (see figure 9).
- Select the OK button in the Caption dialog box (see figure 11).
Your table titles or figure captions should be updated to include the chapter or section numbers.
Important Note: This process only updates table titles or figure captions. If you have table titles and figure captions in your document, repeat the previous steps as necessary.
Related Resources
How to Create and Customize Headings in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)
How to Create a Custom Heading Style in Microsoft Word
How to Create a Custom Heading Style in Microsoft Word for Mac
How to Cross-Reference Tables and Figures in Microsoft Word
Updated March 05, 2023