

Many word processing programs allow you to generate a table of contents automatically. For instance, the table of contents for an honors thesis will have a different layout than one for a research paper, technical paper or novel. The only differences will be in the styling of the headers and layout. In all honesty, it is just that simple to create a table of contents manually in word. Remember, If there is a sub header, use your tab key and indent the sub header Depending on the complexity of your source material you may have several. When you add the page number, remember to add the dots … which connect the chapter title to its page. In Step One, you type the header, which is the name of the chapter and add the corresponding page number. Typing a table of contents manually in Microsoft Word is actually a very simple matter, if you follow the steps below:

You have two main options: First, you can create a table of contents using a word processing program, or second, you can type it out manually. Now that you are familiar with the basic outline of how a table of contents should look, it is easier to create one for yourself. If you are a student you are familiar with browsing the table of contents to get a gist of the subject matter, and many text books have subheadings like those seen below.Ģ Title of second main section………………………………15Ģ.2.1 First division in the second subheading……….30ģ Title of third main section…………………………………35 Keep in mind that a table of contents is used to assist the reader in navigating the book.

Next, list your main headings on the left, and their page numbers on the right. For example, start by typing ‘table of contents’ at the top. Let us begin to create a basic table of contents. When you add the page numbers, remember to use dotted lines to connect the chapter titles and subheadings to their appropriate page number. These will be placed beneath the chapter title, and indented 5 spaces. Subheadings are also called sub chapter headings, or sub level headings. This is done to make sure that they are easily seen so the reader can detect them with ease. The chapter titles should be typed in boldface. Next, make sure that you put your chapters on separate lines. Remember to make sure that the chapter title you type in the table of contents, is the same as that of the source material. Now that you have all of your chapters and their corresponding page numbers, you can begin to write your table of contents. Next, type the main headings, which is the name of each chapter, and their corresponding page numbers in the source material. For example, if you write an ebook for Amazon, you will follow their formatting rules, if you write one for Grosset and Dunlap, you will format it according to their rules.īefore you begin to create your table of contents, make sure that the pages of your source material are numbered. It is important to note before we start, that the formatting of each table of contents will depend on the publisher. Table of Contents are used for magazine journals, instruction pamphlets, books, research papers and reports of various types. Some table of contents will just need top level headings, others will also add one or two subheadings, depending on the amount of detail in the source material. Close examination will tell you the level of complexity the table of contents will have to be.
Table of contexts how to#
When you begin to contemplate how to write out your table of contents, it is important to first become familiar with the source material.
