Create a Table of Contents in MS Word -- the EASY way!

Dennis Faas's picture

Creating a Table of Contents ("TOC") for a Microsoft Word requires a lot of steps and can be really confusing.

But it doesn't have to be difficult!

In this tutorial, I'll explain how simple it is to create a TOC from any keyword or phrase in your document.

Note: Your document does not need to have formatted Headings in order for Microsoft Word's Table of Contents feature to work. Word can build a TOC from any phrase or keyword in your document. For example, you might place a subject heading, keyword(s) or italicized phrase before each paragraph in your document and would like to use them to create a Table of Contents.

To create a Table of Contents using any keyword or phrase:

  1. Select the first phrase. 
     
  2. Press [ALT] + [Shift] + [o].
     
  3. Click the "Mark" button.
     
  4. Set aside the "Mark Table of Contents Entry" window out of your way temporarily.
     
  5. Scroll to and highlight the second phrase. Grab the "Mark Table of Contents Entry" window again, and singe left click on the "Entry" field. Your word or phrase should now appear in the "Entry" field and the "Mark" button should be clickable. Click the Mark button. Repeat these steps until all phrases are marked. 
     
  6. Click the "Close" button. 
     
  7. Click where you want to insert the Table of Contents in your document. 
     
  8. Go to Insert | Reference | Index And Tables. 
     
  9. Select the Table Of Contents tag, click the Options button, and then select the Table Entry Fields check box. 
     
  10. Click the OK button twice. Word inserts the new Table of Contents based on your own marked phrases at the insertion point.

Now wasn't that easy?

Visit Carol's web site to learn more tips like this one!

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