How to Create a Table of Contents in Word That Updates Properly

A long Word document turns annoying fast when readers have to scroll around looking for the right section. The clean fix is to format your section titles with Word's heading styles, then insert an automatic table of contents that Word can update for you.

These steps cover the current Microsoft-supported paths for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word for Mac, and Word for the web. Inserting and updating a table of contents work in all of these, including Word for the web, but customizing and restyling the table are desktop Word paths (Windows and Mac), and field-code insertion and editing are Word for Windows desktop only.

1. Format the headings Word needs

Start here: Word builds an automatic table of contents from headings, and plain bold text will not behave the same way.

1. 1.Select your first main section title.
2. 2.Go to Home.
3. 3.Open Styles.
4. 4.Choose Heading 1 for main sections.
5. 5.Select each subsection and choose Heading 2 or Heading 3.

Keep the levels consistent. Main chapters get Heading 1, sections inside them get Heading 2, and smaller nested sections get Heading 3.

2. Insert an automatic table

1. 1.Click where you want the table of contents to appear.
2. 2.Go to References.
3. 3.Select Table of Contents.
4. 4.Choose an Automatic Table of Contents style.

Once your headings are in place, Word collects them into the table using the heading levels in your document. This is the right choice for reports, papers, manuals, and any document that will keep changing.

3. Create it in Word for the web

Use the web ribbon when you are editing in a supported browser.

1. 1.Click where the table of contents should go.
2. 2.Open References on the ribbon.
3. 3.Select Insert Table of Contents.

Microsoft also documents an alternate web path: choose Table of Contents, then select Insert Table of Contents.

4. Customize the table layout

The default table works for most documents, but the custom dialog gives you control over page numbers, tab leaders, formats, and how many heading levels appear. In desktop Word, go to References, select Table of Contents, choose Custom table of contents, set options such as Show page numbers, Right align page numbers, Tab leader, Formats, and heading levels, then select OK.

5. Restyle each contents level

In desktop Word, changing the table's style is separate from changing the headings in the document. In Word for the web, open the file in the Word desktop app to modify table-of-contents styles.

1. 1.Go to References.
2. 2.Select Table of Contents.
3. 3.Choose Custom Table of Contents.
4. 4.Select Modify.
5. 5.If Modify is unavailable, change Formats to From template.
6. 6.In Styles, choose the TOC level you want to change.
7. 7.Select Modify, make the formatting changes, then select OK.

Use Word's table-of-contents styles when you want TOC level 1, TOC level 2, or another level to look different.

6. Update it before sharing

1. 1.Go to References.
2. 2.Select Update Table.
3. 3.Choose Update page numbers only when only pagination changed.
4. 4.Choose Update entire table when headings were added, removed, renamed, or reorganized.
5. 5.Select OK.

A table of contents does not stay correct after every edit, so update it after adding headings, renaming sections, moving content, or changing page breaks. In desktop Word, you can also right-click the table of contents and choose Update Field; in Word for the web, right-click the table and choose Update Table of Contents. In desktop Word, click the TOC field and press F9, or press Ctrl+A and then F9 to update all main-body fields.

7. Use manual tables sparingly

Word still offers a manual table of contents, but it is just typed placeholder content. Word does not build it from headings, and Word cannot automatically update it.

1. 1.Click where the table should appear.
2. 2.Go to References.
3. 3.Select Table of Contents.
4. 4.Choose a Manual Table of Contents style.
5. 5.Type the entries into the placeholder table.

Use a manual table only for a static document or a temporary draft placeholder. Use an automatic table for normal documents.

8. Build advanced tables with fields

Field codes are for documents that need more control than the gallery gives you. Full field insertion and editing is supported in Word for Windows desktop. Click where the table of contents should appear, go to Insert, select Quick Parts, choose Field, choose TOC in Field names, set the field properties or options you need, and select OK.

You can also press Ctrl+F9 in Word for Windows desktop, type a TOC field inside the braces, and press F9 to update it. Use the \t switch for custom styles, \u for direct outline levels, \f or \l for marked TC entries, and \c or \a for caption-based contents lists.

9. Remove a table cleanly

1. 1.Go to References.
2. 2.Select Table of Contents.
3. 3.Choose Remove Table of Contents.

Deleting the visible lines by hand leaves you fighting the field. Use Word's removal command instead. After that, insert a new automatic table if you want Word to rebuild the list from your current headings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my table of contents missing headings?

Those titles were not formatted with Word's heading styles. Select each title, go to Home > Styles, apply Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3, then use References > Update Table > Update entire table.

Can I make a table of contents from custom styles?

Yes. In Word for Windows desktop, insert or edit a TOC field and use the \t switch, such as { TOC \t "chaptertitle,1, chapterhead,2" }.

How do I show fewer levels in a Word table of contents?

Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom table of contents, then change the number of heading levels shown and select OK.

Can I insert an automatic table of contents in Word on mobile?

The verified Microsoft research does not document a supported mobile Word command for inserting an automatic table of contents. Use Word desktop or Word for the web.