How to Organize Your Google Docs with a Table of Contents
Do you have a long document that needs some organization? Google Docs can help you with that! It automatically creates a table of contents on the side panel using your headings. This way, you can jump to any section you want with a click. But what if you want to print or save your document as a PDF? Don’t worry, you can also make a table of contents inside your document. Let me show you how.
If you need a reminder on how to make a table of contents in Google Docs, here are the main steps (or read on for more details):
- Use headings, like Heading 2, for your section titles.
- Select the spot in your document where you want the table of contents.
- Go to Insert > Table of contents.
- Pick the design you like: Plain Text, Dotted, or Links.
How to make a table of contents in Google Docs
Before you make a table of contents in Google Docs, you need to format your document with headings. Here’s how:
- Highlight the text you want to use as a section title.
- Open the Styles menu.
- Choose the heading level you want. You can also use a keyboard shortcut: command+option+[heading number] on Mac or Ctrl+Alt+[heading number] on Windows. For instance, to apply Heading 2, press command+option+2 or Ctrl+Alt+2.
- Do the same for the rest of your document.
After formatting your document with headings, you can create a table of contents.
- Choose the place in your document where you want the table of contents (usually at the start of the doc).
- Go to Insert > Table of contents.
- You can pick from three styles: Plain Text, Dotted, or Links.
-Plain Text shows the section titles and page numbers. The section titles are not underlined, but they are clickable and will take you to the right section.
-Dotted has the same features as Plain Text, except it has a dotted line that links the section title to the page number.
-Links makes the section titles look like clickable links and leaves out the page numbers.
If you use a pageless view, Google Docs will choose the Links style for your table of contents by default—because there are no page numbers to show.
How to Change a Table of Contents in Google Docs
Ways to Modify the Style of Your Table of Contents in Google Docs
- To edit your table of contents, click on any part of it, and then click the More options icon, which is three vertical dots (⋮). Choose More options.
- A Table of contents side panel will show up, where you can change the style under Formatting. You can also adjust the indentation of each heading level in the table of contents.
How to Change a Table of Contents in Google Docs Automatically
- When you change your headings or add new sections to your document, you can refresh your table of contents to reflect the changes.
- Select any part of your table of contents, and then click the Update table of contents icon (which is a round arrow) in the floating toolbar.
How to Delete a Table of Contents in Google Docs
- Choose any part of your table of contents, and then click the More options icon (⋮). Pick Remove table of contents.
Other features that you can use
Using Headings Effectively
To create an effective Table of Contents, it’s essential to use headings strategically throughout your document. Headings not only organize your content but also improve its readability and structure. Use descriptive and concise headings that accurately reflect the content of each section.
Tips for Organizing and Formatting
To create a well-structured document and TOC:
- Use nesting for subheadings to maintain hierarchy and clarity.
- Ensure consistent formatting throughout the document, including headings and body text.
Collaboration and Sharing Features
Google Docs offers robust collaboration and sharing features, allowing multiple users to edit and comment on a document simultaneously. When collaborating on a document with a Table of Contents, all users can benefit from the organized structure and easy navigation it provides.
Conclusion
A Table of Contents is a valuable tool for organizing and navigating through lengthy documents in Google Docs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a clear and intuitive TOC that enhances the readability and accessibility of your document, making it easier for readers to find and digest information