How to Create a Table of Contents in Word Manually and Automatically, Practical and Easy to Do

Kapanlagi.com - The table of contents is one important part of writing scientific papers or books. Because the table of contents will serve as a guide for readers to find specific pages or materials they are looking for. Therefore, creating a table of contents must be done carefully. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to create a proper table of contents.

However, there are several ways to create a table of contents using Ms Word. First, you can create it manually. In addition, you can also create it automatically, which is relatively more practical. Curious about how to create it?

Without further ado, let's directly see some easy ways to create a table of contents compiled from liputan6.com below.

1. How to Create a Table of Contents in Word Manually

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As mentioned earlier, one way to create a table of contents can be done manually. This method is relatively easy to do, especially if the scientific work or book does not have many subsections.

Here are the steps that need to be done to create a table of contents in Ms Word manually.

1) Set Right Tab

The first step to create a table of contents manually is to set the right tab or margin for right alignment. This method is important to be done so that the created table of contents has a neat and easily understandable appearance.

To do this, first display the right tab icon by showing the ruler image on the view tab. After that, pay attention to the tab icon located in the top left corner. Click on the icon until it becomes a right tab. Once done, you can adjust the position of the right tab using the ruler.

2) Create Dots Automatically

After setting the right tab, the second step is to create dots that connect the chapter or subsection titles with page numbers. These dots should preferably be created automatically for a neater appearance. The way is easy, double click on the right tab until a pop-up menu appears. In that menu, you can adjust the format of the dots that will be used.

3) Entering the List of Chapters, Subchapters, and Page Numbers

Next, you just need to write the list of chapter and subchapter titles one by one. Every time you finish writing a chapter or subchapter title, you can press the tab button on the keyboard. After that, the dots will automatically appear until the end of the line. Finally, you just need to enter the page number at the end of those dots.

2. How to Create a Table of Contents in Ms. Word Automatically

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The second way to create a table of contents is to do it automatically. Compared to the previous method, this method may seem complicated because there are more steps to be taken. However, on the other hand, this method is also considered practical because it can facilitate the work during the preparation of a written work or book. In addition, this method can also reduce the risk of entering the wrong page number.

Here are the steps to create a table of contents automatically.

1) Setting the Heading

To create a table of contents automatically, first you have to set the use of headings. With this setting, chapter and subchapter titles will be easier to detect by Ms Word. The way to set the heading is as follows.

- Block the part of the chapter or subchapter title that will be used as a heading and enter it in the table of contents.

- Next, set the heading using the Styles feature found in the Home tab.

- Set Heading 1 as the main part and Heading 2 as the sub part. Repeat this process for each chapter and subchapter.

2) Filling in the List to be Created

After setting the heading, the next step is to fill in the table of contents, here are the steps.

- Go to the References tab, then select Table of Contents.

- There is an option to create a table of contents automatically or manually. Some available options include the first and second options, which are Automatic Table 1 and Automatic Table 2, while the third option is Manual Table.

- Choose one of the options to use, then the table of contents will be generated neatly.

3) Updating the Table of Contents

As mentioned earlier, automatically generating a table of contents is also useful to reduce the risk of errors in entering page numbers. If there are changes in the document that affect the order of the table of contents, you don't need to panic. You can simply update the table of contents by clicking Update Table in the top left corner.

3. Creating Page Numbers

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After knowing how to create an automatic and manual table of contents, it is also important to know how to create page numbers. Because, in any case, the table of contents will be closely related to page numbers.

The following are the steps that can be taken to create page numbers.

1) First, select the insert menu.

2) Then, select page number.

3) Adjust the placement location of the page numbers. After the settings are done, the page numbers will appear according to the specified location.

4) Finally, you just need to close the header and footer, simply by double-clicking outside the header and footer area.

Those are some of the summaries related to how to create a manual and automatic table of contents, including providing page numbers. Hopefully, this article is helpful and good luck!

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