How to build a table of contents using custom styles

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Step 1 - Mark the Text

Word allows you to mark the text to be included in the table of contents using two methods: styles and TC field codes. When using styles to mark text, you can choose to apply the built-in heading styles or custom styles. This article describes how to use custom styles to mark table of contents entries.

Use either of the following methods to apply a style to text.

Method 1: Use the menu:

1. Select the text you want to include in the table of contents.
2. On the Format menu, click Style.
3. In the Styles list, select the style you want to use for a table of contents entry.
4. Click Apply.

Method 2: Use the toolbar:

• If the text already exists in the document, select the text you want to use as a table of contents entry. On the Formatting toolbar, click the drop-down arrow in the Style list. Select the style you want to use.
• If you are in the process of creating the document, choose the style you want to use from the Style list on the Formatting toolbar. Type the text you want to include in the table of contents. Use the Style list on the Formatting toolbar to return to the style used in the body of your document.

Step 2 - Build the Table of Contents

1. Place the insertion point where you want the table of contents to appear.
2. On the Insert menu, click Index and Tables.
3. Select the Table of Contents tab.
4. In the Formats list, select the format you want to use.
5. Click Options. A list of all the styles used in the document appears under Available Styles.
6. Select the style you used to mark the text. In the TOC Level column, type the level number you want. Typically, this number is "1."
   
   NOTE: To remove the Heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, and so forth), delete the number in the TOC Level column. This removes the check mark to the left of the style name.
7. Click OK twice.