A Google Docs table of contents provides links to document headings or titles. Create the heading structure first so the contents list reflects real sections rather than a manually typed list that becomes outdated.
Prepare the heading structure
Apply appropriate Heading styles to the sections you want readers to find. Open the document outline and check the order. Correct accidental headings, empty entries, and inconsistent levels before inserting the contents list.
For a document with tabs, confirm which tab you are working in. A visible outline and a contents list are navigation tools; neither should be assumed to combine every tab’s content automatically.
Insert the contents list
- Place the insertion point where the table of contents belongs.
- Choose Insert > Page elements > Table of contents.
- Select the available appearance suited to the document.
- Click several entries and verify that they lead to the intended sections.
Choose a presentation appropriate for the final output. Screen readers and collaborators may use the live links, while printed readers need useful labels and a sensible paginated layout.
Maintain it as the document changes
After adding or renaming headings, click the table of contents and use Refresh. Check the result instead of manually rewriting an entry, since a later refresh can replace hand-edited contents text.
Formatting options are more limited in Pageless. If an option is missing, check the document mode rather than rebuilding the contents as a plain list. Before final delivery, refresh once more and inspect the actual PDF or Word output. A contents list is complete only when its labels, destinations, and printed presentation agree with the final document.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.