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Word - Advanced tables of contents Tutorial

In this video, you will learn about advanced tables of contents in Microsoft Word.
The video covers how to create a custom Table of Contents (ToC) and have complete control over its contents.
It explains how to use custom styles to add brief descriptions under each heading entry in the ToC.
By mapping custom styles to specific ToC levels, you can easily control what appears in the table of contents.
This tutorial will help you create a professional and customized ToC in Word, enhancing your document's organization and readability.

3:15
3575 views

Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This course aims to teach advanced techniques for creating a custom Table of Contents (ToC) in Microsoft Word, allowing users to have complete control over the contents and formatting of their ToC.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Custom Table of Contents
In this course, we will explore advanced techniques to create a custom Table of Contents (ToC) in Microsoft Word. While Word can automatically generate a ToC from the built-in heading styles, we will go further by creating a fully customized automatic ToC that gives you complete control over its contents.
Understanding Custom Styles
The first step in creating a custom ToC is to utilize Custom Styles. By default, Word builds the ToC from text formatted with built-in heading styles. However, you can instruct Word to recognize other styles, including those you create yourself. For instance, if you want to add brief descriptions under each heading entry, you can create a custom style for that purpose.
Creating a Custom Style
To create a custom style, select the text you want to appear in the ToC. This text will initially be formatted as normal. Next, open the Styles Gallery and click on 'Create a Style.' Name your new style 'Summary.' Although you can modify the formatting, we will keep it consistent with the rest of the paragraph. Click 'OK' to finalize the style creation.
Mapping the Custom Style to the ToC
After creating the custom style, you need to inform Word to include it in the ToC. Click ahead of the Table of Contents, open the Table of Contents Gallery, and select 'Custom Table of Contents' followed by 'Options.' The first three heading styles correspond to the first three ToC levels. Scroll down to your new style and map it to Level 4, then click 'OK.' The preview will now show the new style under Heading 3. Click 'OK' and confirm to replace the current table.
Formatting the Summary Text
With the Summary text now added to the ToC, the final step is to format it appropriately. Select the text in the Table of Contents, open the Styles pane, and scroll down to the ToC Styles. Since we mapped the text to ToC Level 4, it will be formatted with the ToC 4 style. Click the arrow next to ToC 4, select 'Modify,' then click 'Format' and 'Paragraph.' Indent the left and right margins by 1.5 inches, and click 'OK.' You may also want to add italics for emphasis before clicking 'OK' again.
Conclusion
Mapping custom styles to a ToC level is a quick and effective way to control what appears in your Table of Contents. By following these steps, you can create a professional and organized ToC that enhances the readability and structure of your document.

FAQ :

How do I create a custom Table of Contents in Word?

To create a custom Table of Contents in Word, first format your headings using built-in styles or custom styles. Then, go to the Table of Contents Gallery, select 'Custom Table of Contents', and map your styles to the desired ToC levels. Finally, update the ToC to reflect your changes.

What is the benefit of using custom styles in a Table of Contents?

Using custom styles allows you to have more control over what appears in your Table of Contents. You can include additional information, such as summaries, and format them according to your preferences, enhancing the document's usability.

Can I update my Table of Contents automatically?

Yes, Word allows you to update your Table of Contents automatically whenever you make changes to the headings or styles in your document. Simply right-click on the ToC and select 'Update Field' to refresh it.

What should I do if my custom style does not appear in the Table of Contents?

If your custom style does not appear in the Table of Contents, ensure that you have mapped it to the correct ToC level in the Table of Contents options. You may also need to update the ToC after making changes.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Creating a Professional Report

In a professional report, you can use a custom Table of Contents to include not only the main headings but also brief summaries of each section. This enhances readability and allows stakeholders to quickly grasp the content of the report.

Developing a User Manual

When developing a user manual, mapping custom styles to the Table of Contents can help organize the manual effectively. You can include additional notes or tips under each section heading, making it easier for users to find relevant information.

Formatting Academic Papers

In academic papers, using a custom Table of Contents can help in presenting a clear structure. By including summaries or key points under each heading, you can provide readers with a quick overview of the paper's content, improving comprehension.

Glossaire :

Table of Contents (ToC)

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

Custom Style

A user-defined formatting option in Word that allows users to apply specific styles to text, which can then be used in various features like the Table of Contents.

Styles Gallery

A feature in Word that displays a collection of predefined styles that can be applied to text to maintain consistent formatting throughout a document.

Mapping

The process of associating a specific style with a level in the Table of Contents, allowing that style's text to be included in the ToC.

ToC Level

The hierarchical level assigned to a heading in the Table of Contents, which determines its position and indentation in the ToC.

00:00:05

to create a custom Table of Contents, or ToC.

00:00:09

Word creates a table of contents

00:00:11

from the headings in your document.

00:00:13

And you can update it automatically

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whenever you make it change.

00:00:17

But in this course we're gonna go even further

00:00:20

and create the ultimate custom automatic ToC,

00:00:23

in which you have complete control over the contents.

00:00:27

And the best place to start is with the Custom Style.

00:00:30

Here's how that works.

00:00:32

By default, Word builds the Table of Contents

00:00:35

from the text that has been formatted

00:00:37

with the built-in heading style.

00:00:39

But you can also tell Word to look for other styles,

00:00:42

including ones that you create.

00:00:44

In this document, let's say we want to add

00:00:46

brief descriptions like this

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under each heading entry.

00:00:50

To do that we'll use a custom style.

00:00:53

In this section let's select the texts

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that we want to appear in the table of contents.

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As you can see the text is now formatted as normal

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with the rest of the paragraph.

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Open the Styles Gallery

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and click Create a Style.

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We'll call our new style Summary.

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We could click here and modify the formatting,

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but we won't, because we want it to look

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just like the rest of the paragraph.

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So click OK.

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Now all the text looks the same,

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but when you click on the paragraph you see

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that it actually contains two styles.

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So now we need to tell Word to include our new style.

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Click ahead of the Table of Contents,

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then open the Table of Contents Gallery,

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and click Custom Table of Contents, and Options.

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The first three heading styles are matched

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to the first three ToC levels.

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Scroll down to the new style

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and map it to Level 4 and click OK.

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The preview now shows the new style under Heading 3.

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Click OK and Yes

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to replace the current table.

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The Summary text is added.

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The only thing left to do is to format it

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to look like a summary.

00:02:19

Select the text in the table of contents.

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Open the Styles pane

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and scroll down the ToC Styles.

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When we added the text we mapped it to ToC level 4.

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So that means it's formatted with the ToC four style.

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Click the arrow next to ToC 4 and click Modify.

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Click Format and Paragraph,

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and indent the left and right margins 1.5 inches.

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And click OK.

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Let's also add italics

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and click OK.

00:03:07

Mapping Customs Styles to a ToC level

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is pretty quick and easy way to control

00:03:11

what appears in the table of contents.

Mandarine AI: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

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