Fix Word TOC Entries Skipping Headings Below a Specific Number

When you insert a table of contents in Word, heading levels below a certain number may not appear. For example, Heading 3, Heading 4, or Heading 5 entries can be missing from the TOC even though the headings exist in the document. This happens because the TOC style is set to show only a limited number of heading levels. The default TOC often includes up to Heading 3, but headings below that level are skipped. This article explains how to change the TOC level setting and how to manually adjust the field code if the dialog option is not enough. You will learn the exact steps to show all heading levels in your TOC.

Why Word TOC Skips Heading Levels 4, 5, and Below

A table of contents in Word is generated from a TOC field code. This field code contains a switch called \o, which defines the range of outline levels to include. By default, Word sets this switch to \o “1-3”. This means only headings assigned to Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 styles appear in the TOC. Any heading below that level, such as Heading 4 or Heading 5, is skipped.

The TOC field code also respects the heading style applied to text. If a paragraph uses Heading 4 style but the TOC field only requests levels 1 through 3, that heading is excluded. This is not a bug. It is the intended behavior based on the field code settings. Changing the field code or adjusting the TOC options in the dialog box fixes the issue.

Two methods exist to include more heading levels. The first uses the built-in Custom Table of Contents dialog. The second requires editing the TOC field code directly. Both methods produce the same result, but the field code method is needed when you want to show levels beyond 9 or when the dialog option does not persist.

Method 1: Change the TOC Level in the Custom Table of Contents Dialog

This method works for most users. It changes the number of heading levels shown in the TOC without editing field codes.

1. Click inside the existing table of contents
   Place your cursor anywhere inside the TOC. This selects the TOC field.
2. Open the Table of Contents dialog
   Go to the References tab on the ribbon. Click Table of Contents at the far left. At the bottom of the dropdown menu, select Custom Table of Contents.
3. Increase the Show levels value
   In the Table of Contents dialog, locate the General section. Find the Show levels spinner. The default value is 3. Increase it to the highest heading level you want to include. For example, set it to 6 to show Heading 1 through Heading 6.
4. Click OK
   Word will ask if you want to replace the existing table of contents. Click OK. The TOC updates and now includes the heading levels you specified.

Method 2: Edit the TOC Field Code to Specify Exact Heading Levels

Use this method when the dialog box does not apply the change or when you need a range of levels that is not consecutive. For example, you can show only Heading 1 and Heading 4 by setting the switch to \o “1,4”.

1. Select the TOC field
   Click anywhere inside the table of contents. The entire TOC becomes gray to indicate it is a field.
2. Display the field code
   Press Alt+F9 on your keyboard. The TOC changes to show the field code, which starts with { TOC \o “1-3” \h \z \u }.
3. Edit the \o switch value
   Locate the \o switch inside the field code. Change the number range to include the heading levels you need. For example, change \o “1-3” to \o “1-6” to show up to Heading 6. To show only specific levels, use commas: \o “1,4,6”.
4. Update the TOC
   Press F9 to update the field. Alternatively, right-click the field and select Update Field. Choose Update entire table and click OK. The TOC now reflects the new heading level range.

If Word Still Skips Headings After Changing Levels

Headings are not formatted with built-in heading styles

Word TOC only recognizes text formatted with the built-in Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, and so on styles. If you applied a custom style or manually bolded text, the TOC will skip it. Select the heading text and apply the correct built-in heading style from the Home tab. Then update the TOC.

The heading style has the wrong outline level

Each built-in heading style has a corresponding outline level. Heading 1 is outline level 1, Heading 2 is outline level 2, and so on. If you modified a heading style to use a different outline level, the TOC may skip it. To check, right-click the heading style in the Styles pane, choose Modify, click Format, select Paragraph, and verify the Outline Level matches the heading number. Reset it if needed.

The TOC field code has extra switches that exclude levels

Some TOC field codes include the \t switch, which uses custom TC (table of contents entry) fields instead of heading styles. If the \t switch is present, the \o switch is ignored. Delete the \t switch from the field code if you want to use heading styles. Also check for the \l switch, which sets a specific level range. Remove it if it conflicts with your desired range.

Custom TOC Dialog vs Field Code Editing: Key Differences

Item	Custom Table of Contents Dialog	Field Code Editing (Alt+F9)
Ease of use	Point-and-click, no code knowledge needed	Requires basic familiarity with field codes
Maximum levels	Up to 9 heading levels	Up to 9 levels normally, but can use custom ranges with commas
Non-consecutive levels	Not supported	Supported by using commas, e.g., \o “1,4,6”
Persistence after update	Settings are stored in the field code after OK	Changes are immediate and stay until manually edited again
Best for	Quick adjustments to show more levels	Advanced control or fixing a TOC that ignores dialog changes

You can now display any heading level in your Word table of contents by adjusting the Show levels setting in the Custom Table of Contents dialog or by editing the \o switch in the field code. Try setting the TOC to show up to Heading 5 to keep your document structure visible without overwhelming the reader. For precise control, use the field code method with a comma-separated list of levels such as \o “1,3,5”.