How to Make a Table of Contents in Word That Updates Itself (2026)

A table of contents turns a wall of text into something a busy reader can navigate. For a client report, a training manual or an ebook, it's often the first thing people look at. The trick is that Word builds it from your headings, so the work happens before you click anything.

I've followed Microsoft's support page, which has separate steps for Windows, Mac and Word for the web. The order matters: headings first, table second.

Marking your headings so Word can build a contents table

Word can only list what it recognises as headings. Typing a line in bold and a bigger font won't count. You need to apply a heading style:

1. Select the heading text.
2. Go to Home, then Styles.
3. Choose Heading 1, 2 or 3.

Use Heading 1 for main sections and Heading 2 for the sub-sections beneath them. Microsoft's Mac steps are the same idea: select the text, then click a heading style on the Home tab, and do it for everything you want listed.

Inserting an automatic table of contents in Word on Windows

1. Put the cursor where you want the table.
2. Go to References, then Table of Contents.
3. Choose Automatic Table 1 or Automatic Table 2.

There's also a Custom Table of Contents option if you want to create your own style, which suits documents that need to match a brand layout.

Inserting a table of contents in Word on a Mac

Click where you want the table, usually near the beginning of the document. Then click References, Table of Contents and choose an Automatic Table of Contents style. Microsoft warns about one trap here: with a Manual Table of Contents style, Word won't use your headings and won't be able to update it automatically. It drops in placeholder text for you to type over. If you want something that updates, stay with the automatic styles.

Making a table of contents in Word for the web

Microsoft's web steps are shorter. Select your heading text, go to Home, Styles and choose Heading 1 or 2. You may only see a few styles at first, so select the small down arrow (More styles) to reveal Normal, Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3 and more. Then put your cursor where you want the table and go to References, then Insert Table of Contents. Microsoft's page gives no more detail for the web, so menus may look a bit different.

Version	How Microsoft says to insert it
Windows	References, Table of Contents, Automatic Table 1 or 2
Mac	References, Table of Contents, an Automatic style
Web	References, Insert Table of Contents

Updating the Word table of contents after you edit

This is where people get caught out. Add a section or reword a heading and the table doesn't always change by itself. On Windows, Microsoft's instruction is to right-click the table and choose Update Field. The page doesn't give Mac or web update steps, so on those versions look in the table's own menu for an update option.

Make it your last step before saving or sending. A contents page that points to the wrong place is worse than none.

Changing how the Word contents table looks

Microsoft says you can change the font, the number of heading levels, and whether dotted lines appear between the entries and the page numbers. It links to a separate article for those options. Keeping to two heading levels usually reads best in a short document.

Contents tables and page numbers in Word go together

A table of contents is only useful if the pages carry numbers. If yours don't, my walk-through of adding page numbers in Google Docs shows the same job in Google's tool, and in Word it's a quick trip to Insert, Page Number.

If you share documents between both tools, my guide to making a table of contents in Google Docs covers the Google method. The two systems work on the same principle: style your headings first.

Using a Word contents table in a small business

It's a quiet way to look organised. A proposal with a contents page tells a client you've thought about the structure. A staff handbook with one cuts down on 'where do I find...' questions. An ebook or lead magnet with one is easier to skim, and that matters when readers decide in seconds whether to keep going.

When the Word table of contents is empty or wrong

• It's empty: you probably haven't applied heading styles. Go back and use Home, Styles.
• It won't update: check you didn't pick a Manual style, which Microsoft says can't update automatically.
• A heading is missing: the text may be in a normal style. Apply Heading 1, 2 or 3 to it.
• Extra items appear: something has a heading style that shouldn't. Change it back to Normal.
• Microsoft's page has no steps for removing a table: look in the table's own menu for a remove option, or use Undo straight away.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a table of contents in Word?

Apply Heading 1, 2 or 3 to your headings from Home, Styles. Then click where you want the table, go to References, Table of Contents and choose an automatic style.

How do I update a table of contents in Word?

On Windows, Microsoft says to right-click the table and choose Update Field.

Why won't my Word table of contents update?

If you picked a Manual Table of Contents style, Microsoft says Word won't use your headings and can't update it automatically. Choose an automatic style instead.

Can I make a table of contents in Word for the web?

Yes. Apply heading styles from Home, Styles, then go to References and choose Insert Table of Contents.

Can I change how the table of contents looks?

Microsoft says you can change the font, the number of heading levels, and whether dotted lines appear between entries and page numbers.