A table of contents helps give viewers an overview of your document. It highlights all headings and arranges them along with their corresponding page numbers. If necessary, users can also navigate directly to a specific page, which is useful for longer documents. Charmed? How to create and edit a table of contents in Google Docs.
Before creating a table of contents in Google Docs, make sure your document’s headings are formatted appropriately. Since the table of contents inherits the headings from the entire document, the table of contents will also differ accordingly if they are formatted in different heading styles. To ensure this doesn’t happen, make your heading styles consistent before you start.
Then follow the steps below to create, edit or delete a table of contents in Google Docs.
Note: Unlike Microsoft Word, you can’t create a custom table of contents in Google Docs. Also, make sure you are signed in to your Google account before proceeding.
How to add a table of contents in Google Docs
While you can’t add a table of contents in the Google Docs Android app, you can in the Google Docs iOS app. In addition, you can also access Google Docs on your desktop to insert it into your documents. Here’s how to do it.
Using Google Docs Web
Step 1: Open Google Docs and click on the relevant document.
Step 2: Then click on Paste in the menu bar.
Step 3: Here, go to “Table of Contents” and the available options will be visible.
Here you have three options. Let’s take a quick look at them all.
Option 1 – Plain text
Clicking this option creates a simple table of contents in Google Docs.
Option 2 – Dotted
Slightly different from the first option, this ensures that a dotted line connects the headline and page number. It can also be ideal if you want to print this document.
Option 3 – Shortcuts
If you want your table of contents to point to a specific point in the document, you can opt for this option. It is ideal for documents intended for online viewing. You can add, edit and delete the link just by clicking on the heading option.
Depending on which option you choose, you can create a plain, dotted, or clickable table of contents in Google Docs.
Also Read: Check Out These 3 Easy Ways to Add Flowcharts and Diagrams in Google Docs.
Using the Google Docs app on iPhone
Step 1: Open the Google Docs iOS app and go to the relevant document.
Step 2: Here, tap on the pencil icon to put the document in edit mode.
Step 3: Then go to the place in the document where you want to add the table of contents and tap on the + icon.
Step 4: Once the Insert menu opens, tap on “Table of Contents”.
Step 5: Here, tap on “With Page Numbers” if you want to add a simple table of contents with visible page number in front.
Step 6: Alternatively, you can also tap “With Blue Links” to create a clickable table of contents. Then tap each of the headings to add, edit, or delete the links as needed.
This will insert a table of contents into your Google Docs document.
How to update the table of contents in Google Docs
You can always go back and make changes to your Google Docs. This also means that the content of the document will also be different. So instead of creating a new TOC every time you make changes to your document, you can easily update or format the TOC in Google Docs. To do this, follow the steps below.
Using Google Docs Web
Step 1: Open Google Docs and click on the relevant document.
Step 2: Here, click on the table of contents that you want to edit.
Step 3: Now if you want to change the appearance, click on the three-dot icon and click More Options from the menu.
Step 4: Once the TOC sidebar opens, use the settings here to change either the TOC type or the Heading style of the selected heading.
Step 5: Alternatively, you can also click on the individual heading in the table of contents to make settings, e.g. B. where the heading links to, and even change the name of the heading in the table of contents.
Tip: You can also turn a plain table of contents heading into a clickable heading in Google Docs. Just select the heading and use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + K or Command + K for Windows and macOS respectively. This allows you to add a link to the selected heading.
Step 6: If you only want to update the table of contents, click on the update icon.
This will automatically scan the document for additional headings and update the table of contents accordingly.
Using the Google Docs iOS app
Step 1: Open the Google Docs iOS app and go to the document you want to edit.
Step 2: Tap on the pencil icon to open the editing controls.
Step 3: Then tap on the table of contents and make the desired changes manually.
Step 4: Additionally, you can also tap Remove Link if you want to remove unwanted links from the table of contents.
Step 5: Once the changes are made, tap on the Done icon.
This saves your changes and closes the editing window. While the Google Docs iOS app’s options are certainly limited, they can suffice when you need to make minor edits on the go.
How to delete table of contents in Google Docs
If the table of contents is no longer needed in your Google Docs document, you also have the option of deleting it. Follow the steps below to do this using the Google Docs desktop and iOS app.
Using Google Docs Web
Step 1: Open Google Docs and click on the document you want to edit.
Step 2: Then click on the table of contents.
Step 3: Once the menu options appear, click on the three-dot icon.
Step 4: Then click on “Remove Table of Contents”.
This will immediately delete the table of contents from Google Docs.
Using the Google Docs iOS app
Step 1: Open the Google Docs iOS app and tap on the relevant document.
Step 2: Then tap on the pencil icon. This opens the editing window.
Step 3: Long press here and select the entire table of contents.
Step 4: Use the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard to delete. Then tap the Done icon to close the editing window.
Frequently asked questions about adding a table of contents in Google Docs 1. Why isn’t the table of contents showing up in Google Docs?
You can only create a table of contents if your document contains headings with the appropriate heading styles. After adding the headings, follow the steps above to create a table of contents in Google Docs.
2. Can you add a table of contents using templates in Google Docs?
While there are no separate templates for adding a table of contents, you can use templates for other features that also allow you to add a table of contents in Google Docs.
3. Is it possible to automatically add a table of contents in Google Docs?
The only way to create a table of contents in Google Docs is to use the methods above. Only then will it be added to your documents. You cannot automatically add the table of contents.
Organize your documents
A table of contents is a great way to understand a document at a glance. We hope our article helped you create a table of contents in Google Docs. To make your document more comprehensive, you can also read our guide to creating hyperlinks in Google Docs.
