Thesis Formatting: Multiple Table of Contents

You can add a table of contents to multiple sections of a Microsoft Word document. You may like to do this if you need a table of contents at the beginning of each chapter of your document. In order to create multiple table of contents, we will need to utilise the Bookmarks feature and Quick Parts field codes in Microsoft Word.

Before you begin, you must use appropriate and consistent heading styles throughout your Word document. You can find these styles in the Home tab of Microsoft Word, under Styles. It is recommended to use Heading 1 for each chapter.

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Creating multiple table of contents.

1. Create a "master" table of contents at the front of your document by going to the References tab, then selecting Table of Contents.

2. Add the navigation pane to your document by going to the View tab and ticking Navigation Pane

3. In the navigation pane, right click and select "Show Heading Levels", select Heading 1. Given single chapters can scan a number of pages, setting the levels to Heading 1 allow chapters to be easily selected for the next steps.

4. In the View tab, select the Outline view and ensure it is showing only level 1 headings ie. The name of the chapters in your document.

5. Left-click and drag to highlight Chapter 1. This step is technically highlighting the entire chapter in order for it to be bookmarked.

6. Once the selected chapter is highlighted, go to the Insert tab and select Bookmark. A pop-up box will open and allow you to add a Bookmark name. Make it simple and easy to remember ie. CH1 and select Add.

6. Complete steps 5 & 6 until all your chapters have a bookmark

7. Go back to print view, by going to the View tab and selecting Print Layout

8. Put your cursor where you want your first table of contents to appear, then go to the Insert tab > Quick Parts > select Field and a pop-up box will open.

9. Select TOC (Table of Contents) from the list and then press the Field Codes button. From there, select Options, then \b (Bookmarks) and click Add to Field.

10. In the Field Codes box, add the name of the bookmark you previously created for the relevant chapter eg. CH1 and click Ok.

11. Your table of contents will be inserted into the relevant area. Repeat steps above to add your additional table of contents.