Microsoft Word: Create table of contents - how it works

In scientific papers and many other Word documents, a table of contents is mandatory. Thanks to Word, implementing it is not a problem. We show you how to create a table of contents and what capabilities it has.

You can create a table of contents in Word with little effort.

A table of contents serves to structure and provide an overview of longer text documents. However, Word's table of contents is particularly intelligent - and you can use this feature to increase efficiency.

Word: Table of Contents Made Easy

Proceed as follows:Open the Word document, place the cursor where you want to insert the table of contents, and click the References tab at the top. If you are using Word 2013, click on the "References" entry instead.

1. There you will see the "Table of Contents" section on the far left of the ribbon. Click on the large "Table of Contents" button.
2. You can then choose a specific type of table of contents, such as "Automatic Directory 1" or "Manual Directory ".

The table of contents will then appear at the location in the Word document that you have highlighted with the mouse. Especially handy is the ability of the Word table of contents that it is automatically linked to the contents of the document. This means that changes (such as additional subheadings) are automatically adjusted.To do this, click on "Update Table of Contents" in the upper left corner of the "Table of Contents" area. Thanks to this function, it is ensured that the structure of the document always matches the structure of the table of contents.

Downloads, Apps & Tips on the topic

To download: Microsoft Word | Microsoft Word as a Windows 10 app | Microsoft Word OnlineOffice alternatives: free replacement for Microsoft OfficeOffice software: free programs you no longer want to do without Print