A Google Docs table of contents may still show an old heading after you edit the document. Refresh the generated list rather than typing a correction into the contents entry itself.
Update the underlying headings first
- Find the section in the body of the document.
- Correct its wording and confirm its actual Heading style.
- Return to the table of contents.
- Click it and choose the Refresh control.
Check the edited label in the regenerated list. If a heading is still missing, inspect its paragraph style and the contents settings rather than repeatedly pressing Refresh. Normal text that only looks like a heading may not provide the expected entry.
Verify changed structure
A refresh is especially important after adding a new section, removing an old one, or changing the hierarchy. Read the entire contents list in order and follow links around the edited area.
If page numbering is relevant, finish significant text and layout changes before the final refresh. Moving a table or changing spacing can alter where sections begin even when their headings have not changed.
Avoid a manually maintained substitute
Typing a new page number or label directly into a generated table of contents may create a temporary appearance of correctness. It does not reliably update the source heading or destination, and a later refresh may overwrite the manual adjustment.
For a final submission, refresh, inspect the generated entries, and check the exported output as a separate step. If the contents list needs a different visual treatment, use its formatting options where available. Keep content corrections in the document headings and presentation corrections in the table-of-contents settings so future updates remain understandable.
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.