Directions for Creating Table of Contents in Microsoft Word

EDT 321Table of Contents Directions

Directions for Creating a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word

Note: A Table of Contents can be created only after a document is written and styles have been applied for heading and subheading levels. Default Styles are defined in Microsoft Word. Advanced users will be able to edit current styles or create new ones.

1.Select (highlight) the first word or words in the document that will be listed in the table of contents.

2.Click on the drop down button in the Style box in the Format tool bar.

3.This drop down menu shows the available Styles in the copy of Word on the computer being used. Select the Heading 1 style for the first heading level in the document.

4.Continue to change the style for all words or phrases that will be level 1 headings in the document.

5.Select the words or phrases for the next sub-heading level in the document and apply the Heading 2 style from the Style drop down menu. Continue to apply styles for each heading level in the document. When all headings and subheading styles have been applied it is time to insert the table of contents.

6.Insert a blank Table of Contents page in the document after the Title page. The Table of Contents will be placed after an Abstract or Executive Summary if they are included in a document.

7.Write TABLE OF CONTENTS at the top of the page and insert a blank line by pressing the Enter key. The Table of Contents will be placed at this point in the document. If more space is desired between the title of the page and the actual table add more blank lines.

8.
On the File Menu toolbar click on Insert.

9.
A drop down menu appears. Click on References, then Index and Tables….

10.In the Index and Tables dialog box click on the Table of Contents tab. This dialog box shows a preview of the format for the Table of Contents.

11.Keep the Hyperlinks button checked to insert hyperlinks in the document. This is useful for documents that will be read in a web environment or on a computer.

12.Click the OK button to accept the default Table of Contents style. Advanced users may make changes to the Table of Contents by using the Options and/or Modify buttons on this dialog box.

13.The Table of Contents automatically appears in the table of contents page. Microsoft Word searches the document and copies all text that has been marked with the styles selected to appear in the Table of Contents. Word automatically inserts hyperlinks in the TOC – if an entry is clicked Word goes to that section of the document.

14.If changes are necessary in a document and a new Table of Contents is required it is very easy to replace the table. Select the entire table, click Insert on the file menu, choose Index and Tables, click on the Table of Contents tab, and click OK. A dialogue box appears asking if the current Table of Contents should be replaced. Click OK to see the revised Table of Contents.

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