Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2019, and Word in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Creating a Table of Contents from TOC Fields.

Creating a Table of Contents from TOC Fields

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated February 4, 2019)

1

Word allows you to create a table of contents using your own TOC specifications. You do this by first inserting TOC fields in your document (as described in the previous tip) and then compiling the actual TOC. To compile the TOC, follow these steps:

  1. Position the insertion point where you want the TOC inserted.
  2. Display the References tab of the ribbon.
  3. Click the Table of Contents tool in the Table of Contents group. Word displays a drop-down list from which you should choose Custom Table of Contents. Word displays the Table of Contents dialog box.
  4. Make sure the Table of Contents tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)

    5. Figure 1. The Table of Contents tab of the Index and Tables dialog box.

  5. Click on the Options button. Word displays the Table of Contents Options dialog box. (See Figure 2.)

    6. Figure 2. The Table of Contents Options dialog box.

  6. Make sure the Table Entry Fields check box is selected (at the bottom of the dialog box).
  7. Click on OK to close the Table of Contents Options dialog box.
  8. Click on OK to generate your TOC.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12660) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2019, and Word in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Creating a Table of Contents from TOC Fields.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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What is five more than 3?

2014-11-16 19:33:53

Bill

Hi
Ref Tip 12660

TOC works great!

BUT

I moved the file from C to my old VISTA desktop. I was half finished. Now the program TOC is not working!!!

The HEADING 1 from the first do not show up (they are marked Heading 1) and only those from my VISTA will show-up.

Ihave removed the TOC on both computers.

Restarted both computers.

The TOC will not UPDATE or goaway!!

any suggestions.

Bill

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