Typing out a table of contents by hand means it's wrong the moment you add, remove or move a section.
Word can build one automatically from your existing headings, and keep it in sync for the rest of the project.
Here's the trick:
Insert one from the References tab, and it rewrites itself every time your headings or page numbers change.
How to use it
- Apply Word's built-in Heading styles to every section title you want listed.
- Click where you want the table of contents to appear.
- Go to References > Table of Contents and choose one of the automatic styles.
- Whenever headings or page numbers change later, right-click the table of contents and choose "Update Field."
Where it helps most
Long reports, manuals or theses that keep getting edited after the outline is already in place, where a manually typed contents page would drift out of date almost immediately.
One thing to watch for
It only refreshes when you tell it to, not live as you type. Get into the habit of right-clicking to update it right before printing or exporting to PDF.
Found a faster way to do this, or a version that works differently on Mac? That's what the comments are for — this section connects to your comment system of choice (Disqus, giscus, etc.) once the site is live.