How to Create a Table of Figures in Word

If you have a document with charts, photos, or drawings, a Table of Figures helps readers quickly find those visuals. Word can automatically build this list based on the captions you have applied to each figure. This article explains how to add captions to your figures and then insert a Table of Figures that updates when you add or remove images. You will also learn how to format the table and fix common issues like missing entries.

How the Table of Figures Feature Works

The Table of Figures feature in Word relies on captions. Each figure, table, or other object you want to list must have a caption applied using Word’s Insert Caption tool. Captions are special fields that Word can search for when building the table. You can choose the label (Figure, Table, Equation, or a custom label) and the numbering format. After all captions are in place, you insert the Table of Figures from the References tab. Word scans the document for the caption style and builds a list showing each caption text and its page number. The table can be updated automatically when you add, remove, or move figures.

Before you start, ensure all figures are inserted in your document. You do not need to place them in a specific location, but each figure should be on its own line or inside a text box with a caption directly above or below. Word also supports captions on tables, so you can create a separate Table of Tables if needed.

Steps to Create a Table of Figures

Step 1: Add Captions to Each Figure

1. Select the figure
   Click the image, chart, or other object you want to caption. If the figure is inside a text box, click the text box border to select the whole box.
2. Right-click and choose Insert Caption
   A dialog box opens. Word suggests a default label, such as Figure 1. You can change the label to Table or Equation, or create a custom label by clicking New Label.
3. Type the caption text
   In the Caption box, after the label and number, type a descriptive title. For example: Figure 1 – Quarterly Sales. Click OK. The caption appears above or below the figure depending on your Position setting.
4. Repeat for every figure
   Go through the entire document and add a caption to each figure, table, or equation. Use the same label for similar objects. Word automatically increments the number for each new caption with the same label.

Step 2: Insert the Table of Figures

1. Place the cursor where you want the table
   Usually this is at the beginning of the document, after the Table of Contents but before the main body. You can also put it on a separate page.
2. Go to the References tab
   In the Captions group, click Insert Table of Figures. A dialog box opens.
3. Choose the caption label
   Under General, in the Caption label dropdown, select Figure (or Table, Equation, or your custom label). Word will only include captions with that label.
4. Select formatting options
   Check or uncheck Show page numbers and Right align page numbers. In the Formats dropdown, choose a style such as Formal or Distinctive. You can also click Modify to change the appearance of the table style.
5. Click OK
   Word inserts the Table of Figures at the cursor location. It shows each caption and the page number where it appears.

Step 3: Update the Table When You Make Changes

1. Add or remove a figure
   After editing the document, click anywhere inside the Table of Figures.
2. Click Update Table
   A small button appears at the top of the table. You can also right-click the table and choose Update Field.
3. Choose Update page numbers only or Update entire table
   Select Update entire table if you added or removed captions. Select Update page numbers only if the content changed but captions stayed the same. Click OK.

Common Mistakes and Limitations

Figures Without Captions Do Not Appear

The Table of Figures only detects objects that have a caption applied using the Insert Caption tool. If you typed a label manually, such as Figure 1: Sales, Word will not include it. To fix this, select the manual label and delete it, then use Insert Caption to add a proper caption.

Table Shows Wrong Label Type

If you insert a Table of Figures and it shows tables instead of figures, you selected the wrong caption label in the Insert Table of Figures dialog. Delete the table, reopen the dialog, and choose the correct label from the Caption label dropdown.

Page Numbers Are Incorrect

This usually happens after you have moved figures or added new pages. Update the table by clicking Update Table and choosing Update page numbers only. If the page numbers still look wrong, ensure the figures are not inside floating text boxes or wrapped objects that Word cannot track properly.

Table Does Not Include All Figures

Check that every figure has a caption of the same label type. For example, if you used Figure for some images and Table for others, you need two separate tables. Also verify that captions are not inside unlinked text boxes or headers/footers — Word cannot find captions there.

Table of Figures vs Manual List vs Table of Contents

Item	Table of Figures	Manual List	Table of Contents
Purpose	List figures, tables, or equations with captions	Any manually typed list of items	List document headings and subheadings
Automatic updates	Yes, via Update Table	No, must edit manually	Yes, via Update Table
Based on	Caption style (Figure, Table, Equation)	Nothing — you type each entry	Heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.)
Page number inclusion	Automatic	You type them	Automatic
Best for	Documents with many visuals that need referencing	Simple or one-off lists	Long documents with structured sections

The Table of Figures is the most efficient way to manage a list of visuals because it updates automatically. A manual list requires you to edit every time you change a figure. A Table of Contents is a separate feature that works with headings, not captions.

After creating your Table of Figures, you can format it by modifying the Table of Figures style in the Styles pane. Right-click the style and choose Modify to change font, size, spacing, or indentation. For large documents, consider creating a separate Table of Tables if you have both figures and tables. Use the same steps but choose the Table label in the Insert Table of Figures dialog.