Insert a TOC without Upsetting Pagination

Summary: Insert a table of contents in your document, and your page numbering may get thrown for a loop. If you want the page numbering to remain constant, then you'll appreciate the advice in this tip. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007.)

When you insert a table of contents in any version of Word, the table becomes part of the contents and forces the repagination of everything that follows. If you want your TOC to occupy its own page, that page will be numbered page 1, and your first section on page 2. Most of us prefer our first page of content to be listed as page 1.

One solution is to adjust the page numbering system to begin with page 0. Because page 0 is your TOC, your first content will begin on page 1. But if your TOC becomes longer than a page, this solution won't work.

There's an easier way: Before generating your table of contents, insert a new-page section break at the start of your first content. Then move to the newly created first section and generate your table of contents. It will list all the headings in your second section with the appropriate page numbers without affecting pagination. This tip also allows you to create a separate introductory section in Roman numerals, which will show its own numbering system in the TOC.

Tip #1897 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Insert a TOC without Upsetting Pagination