Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Insert a TOC without Upsetting Pagination.

Insert a TOC without Upsetting Pagination

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 14, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


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. This gives you two sections in your document: the first destined for your TOC and the second for your content. Configure the second section so that it begins with page 1, thereby making sure that your content begins on page 1.

Now 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.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1897) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Insert a TOC without Upsetting Pagination.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Format Painter Shortcut

Need a way to copy formatting using the keyboard? Word has a great one, and it doesn't involve the Format Painter or the ...

Discover More

Setting Web Fonts

If you intend to generate a Web page from your document, you need to be concerned with the fonts that Word will use. ...

Discover More

Outlining Cells Referenced in a Formula

When you are editing a formula, Excel helpfully outlines the cells referenced in the formula. If you want this capability ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!

More WordTips (menu)

Problems with TOC Styles

If you generate a table of contents for your document, there may be some unexpected surprises in the way the TOC appears. ...

Discover More

Using Multiple Tables of Contents

Adding multiple tables of contents is a must for some types of document design. Here's a great overview of how you can ...

Discover More

Two Types of Page Numbers in a TOC

Word, when creating a table of contents, should automatically make sure that the page numbers it shows correspond to the ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is two minus 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.