A table of figures is like a table of contents for captioned images, charts, tables, or equations. Word can build it automatically, but only from real captions inserted with the Caption tool.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, and Word 2019 on Windows or Mac when a long document needs a list of figures, tables, charts, or equations with page numbers.
Caption your items first, then insert the table
Uncaptioned images will not appear.
- Click an image, chart, table, or equation.
- Open References > Insert Caption.
- Choose the correct Label, such as Figure, Table, or Equation.
- Add descriptive caption text after the automatic number.
- Click OK.
- Repeat for every item that should appear in the list.
- Click where the table of figures should go.
- Open References > Insert Table of Figures.
- Choose the matching Caption label.
- Confirm page-number options and click OK.
Update the table after changes
Refresh it before printing or exporting.
- Click inside the table of figures.
- Press F9, or right-click and choose Update Field.
- Choose Update entire table for new captions and renumbering, or Update page numbers only when only pagination changed.
- Click OK.
More control
Create separate lists for figures and tables
Run Insert Table of Figures once with Caption label set to Figure, then again elsewhere with Caption label set to Table. Each list pulls only matching captions.
Modify the style
Use Modify in the Table of Figures dialog to change font, spacing, or layout so it matches the document table of contents.
Update all fields at once
After moving figures, press Ctrl+A and then F9 to update captions, numbering, cross-references, and the table of figures together.
Refresh before PDF export
Export captures whatever the field shows at that moment. Update the table immediately before creating a PDF.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Insert a table of figures (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Add a caption (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Update a table of contents (2025)