There are several ways to create a table of contents in Microsoft Word. In this tutorial, we are going to look at the two most convenient ways. Plus, we are going to update a table of contents after making changes to the document. We will also delete a table of contents.
- How to Create a Built-In Table of Contents
- How to Create a Custom Table of Contents
- How to Update a Table of Contents
- How to Delete a Table of Contents
Important Note: To follow these steps, your headings must be formatted with Word’s heading styles. For information on heading styles, please see “How to Create and Customize Headings in Microsoft Word.”
This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
Watch more than fifty other videos about Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat on my YouTube channel.
The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. The steps are the same in Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010. However, your interface may look slightly different in those older versions of the software.
How to Create a Built-In Table of Contents
Word’s built-in tables of contents are the easiest to create. However, they offer the fewest number of customization options.
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the table of contents.
- Select the References tab in the ribbon.
- Select the Table of Contents button.
- Select a built-in table of contents from the drop-down menu.
Your table of contents should appear in your document.
How to Create a Custom Table of Contents
Word’s custom tables of contents provide formatting options and allow you to include or exclude specific heading levels.
- Place your cursor where you want to insert the table of contents.
Pro Tip: The custom table of contents option does not automatically create a title (e.g., Table of Contents or Contents), so be sure to leave a blank line above your cursor where you can enter a title later.
- Select the References tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
- Select the Table of Contents button (see figure 2).
- Select Custom Table of Contents from the drop-down menu.
- Select a visual style from the Formats menu in the Table of Contents dialog box. (The From Template option is based on the styles established in your current template.)
- Select the number of levels you want to include in the Show levels menu.
- (Optional Step) Select additional options concerning page numbers and tab leaders, which are the dots, dashes, or lines that appear before the page number.
How to Choose Individual Heading Levels for a Table of Contents
By default, Word’s tables of contents include text formatted with sequential heading styles (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, etc.). However, you can manually include or exclude individual heading levels within your custom table of contents.
- Select the Options button in the Table of Contents dialog box.
- Enter the sequence of the heading levels you want to appear in the TOC level text boxes in the Table of Contents Options dialog box.
In the example above, I entered 1 across from Heading 2 because I want my table of contents to begin with Heading 2 and exclude Heading 1.
- Select the OK button.
- Select the OK button.
Your table of contents should appear in your document.
- Type a title (e.g., Table of Contents or Contents) above your table of contents.
How to Update a Table of Contents
Your table of contents won’t automatically update as you add additional headings to your document. Instead, you can update your table of contents as you add headings or when the document is complete.
- Place your cursor in the table of contents.
- Right-click and select Update Field from the shortcut menu.
Pro Tip: You can also select Update Table in the Table of Contents group in the References tab.
- Select Update entire table from the Update Table of Contents dialog box.
- Select the OK button.
Your table of contents should update immediately.
How to Delete a Table of Contents
You don’t have to select the table of contents to delete it.
- Select the References tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
- Select the Table of Contents button (see figure 2).
- Select Remove Table of Contents from the drop-down menu.
Your table of contents should be deleted immediately.
Related Resources
How to Create and Update a List of Tables or Figures in Microsoft Word
How to Cross-Reference Tables and Figures in Microsoft Word
How to Insert Figure Captions and Table Titles in Microsoft Word
Erin, thank you so much for the wonderful tutorials and the invaluable information they hold. Would you please publish a video on how to create headings that are consistant with APA 7. It will help me identify how my table of content and list of figures and tables should appear in APA 7. Thank you.
Thank you for visiting my site! I do have a few tutorials coming up in the next few months that will focus on creating headings according to specific style guides. So, stay tuned!
Erin
Hello Erin, nice to meet you. I recently subscribe your blog about as a lot of your tutorials is helpful to me. But, regarding this TOC, I am already knowledgeable about steps. What I am looking for is how to link a new created styles with numbering to TOCs. I find it really difficult. Have you already tried it? If not, can you please try it and send me your feedbacks. Thanks!
Hello, thank you so much for visiting my website! I’m afraid I’m a bit confused by your question. Do you want to link text other than headings to your TOC?
~Erin
Erin,
Thank you so much for the tutorial and training. Sometimes Microsoft steps on their own feet, but you cleared it all up in no time.
I appreciate your positive feedback. Thank you for visiting!
Thank you for making this so simple. I do have one question: since we are choosing a style for our headings to be imported into a table, these will change our font and size. After I create the table, can I go back and re-edit the style changes without the ToC being affected?
Thank you for visiting. The style of the ToC shouldn’t be affected by changes made to the heading styles (or vise versa). Best of luck!
~Erin