Word builds an automatic table of contents from real heading styles. Larger bold text is not enough; sections must use Heading 1, Heading 2, and related styles for Word to find them.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word 2019 on Windows or Mac when you need a clickable, updateable table of contents with headings and page numbers.
Apply heading styles, then insert the table
This is the standard workflow.
- Select each main section title and apply Heading 1 from the Home tab.
- Apply Heading 2 to subsections and Heading 3 to deeper sections if needed.
- Click where the table of contents should appear, usually near the front.
- Press Ctrl+Enter first if it should be on its own page.
- Open References > Table of Contents.
- Choose an Automatic Table option.
Word inserts a table with page numbers. Entries are clickable; Ctrl-click on Windows or click on Mac to jump to a section.
Build a custom table of contents
Use this when the default table shows too much or too little.
- Make sure heading styles are already applied.
- Open References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents.
- Set Show levels to control how many heading levels appear.
- Choose whether to show page numbers.
- Adjust the tab leader, such as dotted lines.
- Click OK.
More control
Fix missing entries
If a heading is missing, click that line and check the Styles gallery. It must be a real Heading style, not only manually bolded or enlarged text.
Update before sharing
A table of contents is a field snapshot. Click inside it and press F9, or use References > Update Table, then choose Update entire table after edits.
Remove the table
Click the table selector and press Delete, or use References > Table of Contents > Remove Table of Contents.
Change TOC appearance
TOC entries use styles named TOC 1, TOC 2, and so on. Modify those styles to change font, size, spacing, or indentation.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Insert a table of contents (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Create a table of contents (2024)
- Microsoft Support – Customize a table of contents (2024)