Automatically Generating Table of Contents with Styles

Once you’ve established a clear style hierarchy, you can fully leverage Word/WPS’s automatic table of contents feature.

6.1 What is an Automatic Table of Contents?

How Auto TOC Works

Word/WPS scans the entire document for all paragraphs with “Heading 1”, “Heading 2”, “Heading 3” styles applied, and automatically generates a TOC showing their titles and page numbers.

Advantages of Auto TOC

1. One-Click Generation: No need to manually enter each title and page number
2. Real-time Updates: TOC can be automatically updated when titles change or content is added
3. Smart Page Numbers: Page numbers calculate automatically, no errors
4. Interactivity: Readers can click TOC titles to jump directly to sections

6.2 Steps to Generate Auto TOC

Prerequisite

All headings in the document have correctly applied “Heading 1”, “Heading 2”, etc. styles.

Step 1: Place Cursor at TOC Location

Usually at the beginning of the document (after title, before body text).

Step 2: Insert TOC

Word Operation:

1. “References” tab → “Table of Contents” → Select a style

WPS Operation:

1. “References” tab → “Table of Contents” → Select style

Step 3: TOC Auto-Generates

The page will display:

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction................................................1
Chapter 2 Literature Review...........................................5
  2.1 Related Research.........................................5
  2.2 Theoretical Basis.........................................8
Chapter 3 Methodology...........................................12

6.3 Updating the TOC

When You Modify Titles or Add/Delete Content

The TOC needs to be updated.

Update Method

1. Right-click the TOC
2. Select “Update Field” (Word) or “Update Table of Contents” (WPS)
3. Select “Update entire table”
4. OK

Result

• New headings are added to the TOC
• Page numbers automatically recalculate
• Deleted headings are removed from the TOC

6.4 Customizing TOC Appearance

Customizing TOC in Word

1. “References” → “Table of Contents” → Click “Custom Table of Contents”
2. In the dialog:
   • “Formats”: Choose your preferred style
   • “Show levels”: Default 3, can change to 2 or 4
   • “Right align page numbers”: Check to align page numbers right
   • “Tab leader”: Check to show dots before page numbers
3. Click “OK”

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Next: Chapter 7: Precise Control of Paragraph Formatting