Word - Add formatting to a TOC Tutorial

In this video, you will learn how to add formatting to a table of contents (TOC) in Microsoft Word.
The video covers the process of selecting a line in the TOC, changing the font style and color, and how Word uses TOC styles to format the text.
By default, Word uses TOC styles 1, 2, and 3 for Headings 1, 2, and 3 respectively.
Changing the formatting of a line in the TOC automatically updates the corresponding TOC style.
The video also demonstrates how to modify the TOC styles to change the tab stop and add left indents.
This allows you to have complete control over the appearance of your automatic table of contents.
Adding formatting to a TOC can enhance the visual appeal and readability of your document.

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Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This video aims to teach users how to format a table of contents in Microsoft Word, focusing on the use of TOC styles and how changes to these styles affect the overall formatting of the document.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Table of Contents Formatting
In this section, we will explore how to add formatting to a table of contents in Microsoft Word. The process begins by selecting a line in the table of contents and changing its font style to Century Gothic and the font color to blue.
Understanding Automatic Table of Contents
Word utilizes three key elements to create an automatic table of contents: the options selected in previous steps, the text formatted with Heading styles (1 through 4), and the built-in TOC styles that format the table of contents text.
Exploring TOC Styles
To view the TOC styles, click the Home tab and then the Styles dialog box launcher. The Styles pane will display the built-in heading styles used in the document, including TOC 1, TOC 2, and so on. These styles dictate how the text in the table of contents is formatted.
Modifying TOC Styles
If you wish to change the format of the table of contents text, you must modify the TOC styles. For instance, when formatting a level two text, removing italics and adding bold will automatically update the TOC 2 style.
Updating the Table of Contents
Once the TOC styles are modified, you can right-click the table of contents and select 'Update Table' to ensure that the formatting remains consistent throughout the document.
Adjusting Tab Stops and Indents
To further customize the TOC styles, click the arrow next to TOC 1 in the Styles pane and select 'Modify.' In the dialog box, you can change the tab stop to determine the location of the page number. For example, set the tab stop to 5, clear the old tab stop, and add a left indent of one inch.
Final Adjustments for TOC Styles
Repeat the process for TOC 2, adjusting the tab stop to 5 and adding a left indent of 1.15 inches. Similar adjustments can be made for TOC 3 and 4 styles, giving you complete control over the appearance of your automatic table of contents.

FAQ :

How do I create a table of contents in Word?

To create a table of contents in Word, apply heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) to the sections of your document. Then, go to the References tab and select 'Table of Contents' to insert an automatic TOC.

What are TOC styles and how do they work?

TOC styles are built-in styles in Word that format the text in a table of contents. When you change the formatting of a heading style, the corresponding TOC style updates automatically, ensuring consistency.

Can I customize the appearance of my table of contents?

Yes, you can customize the appearance of your table of contents by modifying the TOC styles. You can change font styles, tab stops, and indentation to achieve your desired look.

What happens if I update my document after creating a TOC?

If you update your document after creating a TOC, you can right-click the table of contents and select 'Update Field' to refresh it, ensuring that it reflects any changes made to the headings.

Why do all level one headings change when I modify one?

All level one headings change when you modify one because they are all formatted with the same TOC style (TOC 1). Changing the style affects all text associated with that style.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Creating Professional Reports

When preparing a professional report, you can use the table of contents feature to organize sections clearly. By applying heading styles and customizing TOC styles, you ensure that your report is easy to navigate and visually appealing.

Developing Academic Papers

In academic writing, a well-structured table of contents is essential. By using TOC styles, students can maintain consistency in formatting, making it easier for readers to follow the paper's structure.

Designing User Manuals

For user manuals, a clear table of contents helps users find information quickly. By customizing TOC styles, technical writers can create a user-friendly layout that enhances the manual's usability.

Formatting E-books

When formatting e-books, authors can utilize the table of contents feature to create an interactive navigation system. Customizing TOC styles ensures that the e-book is visually appealing and easy to navigate on various devices.

Preparing Business Proposals

In business proposals, a well-organized table of contents can make a significant impact. By applying and modifying TOC styles, professionals can present their proposals in a clear and structured manner, improving readability and professionalism.

Glossaire :

Table of Contents (TOC)

A list of the sections and chapters in a document, typically organized by headings, which allows readers to navigate the content easily.

Heading Styles

Predefined formatting options in word processing software that apply specific styles to text designated as headings, such as Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.

TOC Styles

Built-in styles in word processing software specifically designed to format the text in a table of contents, such as TOC 1, TOC 2, etc.

Font Style

The design and appearance of text, which can include variations such as bold, italic, underline, and different typefaces.

Indent

The space between the margin and the start of a paragraph, which can be adjusted to create a visual hierarchy in the text.

Tab Stop

A predefined position on a line of text where the cursor will stop when the Tab key is pressed, often used to align text or numbers.

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we'll start by adding it to one line.

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Let's select this line

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and change the font style to Century Gothic

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and the font color to Blue.

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Notice that after we add the formatting,

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the rest of the level one text changes to match.

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So why does this happen?

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Well, Word uses three things

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to create an automatic table of contents.

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First, it takes the options we chose in movie one,

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grabs all the text in the document

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with a Heading 1 through 4 style,

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and finally formats the table of contents text

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with the builtin TOC styles

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Let's take a look at those TOC styles.

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Click the Home tab and the Styles dialog box launcher.

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The Styles pane shows the builtin heading styles

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used in the document.

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But down here, you'll see a bunch of these styles

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called TOC 1, TOC 2, and so on.

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These are the styles that Word uses to format the text

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in the table of contents.

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By default, Headings 1, 2, and 3 are formatted

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with TOC styles 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

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So what all this means is that if you want

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to change the format of the table of contents text,

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you need to change the TOC styles,

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and Word does that by default

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when you change one of the lines.

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That's why all the level one lines changed

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when we added the formatting,

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because the TOC 1 style automatically updated.

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Now I'll select this level two text,

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which I know is formatted with the TOC 2 style.

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I'll remove the italics

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and add bold,

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and the TOC 2 style automatically updates.

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Now, because the formatting was changed in the TOC styles,

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we can right-click the table of contents

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and update the table at any time,

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and we know that the formatting will always be the same.

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Let's take it one step further

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and click the arrow next to TOC 1 in the Styles pane

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and click Modify.

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This dialog box has the most options for changing a style.

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Click Format

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and Tabs,

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and let's change the tab stop.

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In a TOC style,

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the tab stop determines the location of the page number.

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Type 5,

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click Set,

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and clear the old tab stop.

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Now go to Paragraph,

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and let's add a left indent of one inch

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and click OK.

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We'll need to do the same thing to the TOC 2 style.

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Click Modify,

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Format,

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and Tabs.

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Change the tab stop to 5,

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and clear the old tab stop.

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Also, click right align.

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Then, in Paragraph,

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add a left indent of 1.15 inches,

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a little bit farther to the right than the TOC 1 level.

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Click OK

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and OK.

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We'll also change the formatting for the TOC 3 and 4 styles.

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So now you have total control

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over the look of your automatic table of contents.

Mandarine AI: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

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