How to Make a Table of Contents in Google Docs

A table of contents makes a long Google Doc easier to scan and navigate. It is especially useful for reports, guides, assignments, manuals, and other documents with several sections.

Google Docs can build the table of contents automatically from your document headings, so you do not need to type every section name or page number by hand.

QUICK ANSWER

Add heading styles first, then insert the table of contents

Format your section titles as Heading 1, Heading 2, or another heading level. Then go to Insert > Page elements > Table of contents and choose a style.

Step 1: Apply Heading Styles

A Google Docs table of contents is built from titles and headings. Regular bold text is not enough by itself.

1

Select a section heading

Highlight the text you want to appear in the table of contents.

2

Open the text style menu

Click the style menu that normally shows Normal text.

3

Choose a heading level

Use Heading 1 for major sections and Heading 2 or Heading 3 for subsections.

EGGLOVER TIP

Keep the heading structure simple. Use Heading 1 for main topics and Heading 2 for sections inside those topics. A clear hierarchy makes the table of contents easier to read.

Step 2: Insert the Table of Contents

After the headings are formatted, place the table of contents near the beginning of the document.

Insert the table of contents

1. Click where you want the table of contents.
2. Go to Insert.
3. Choose Page elements.
4. Select Table of contents.
5. Choose the style you want.

Which Table of Contents Style Should You Choose?

In a Pages document, Google Docs can offer table-of-contents styles with or without page numbers.

Style	Useful For
With page numbers	Reports, assignments, and documents that may be printed.
Without page numbers	Online documents where navigation links are more important than printed page numbers.

Step 3: Update the Table of Contents

If you add, remove, or rename headings after creating the table of contents, refresh it so the list matches the document.

Refresh after editing headings

Click inside the table of contents and use the refresh option to update it after document headings change.

Why Is a Heading Missing From the Table of Contents?

If a section does not appear, first check whether the text is actually formatted as a heading rather than only made bold or enlarged.

Check the style

Make sure the text uses Heading 1, Heading 2, or another heading style.

Refresh the TOC

Refresh the table after adding or changing headings.

Check heading levels

Table-of-contents settings can control which heading levels are included.

Can You Customize the Table of Contents?

Yes. Google Docs provides table-of-contents options that let you change formatting and choose which heading levels should appear.

Click the table of contents and open its options to adjust the appearance or heading-level settings.

What About Pageless Documents?

GOOD TO KNOW

A table of contents can still be used in a Pageless document, but Google Docs provides fewer table-of-contents style options than it does in Pages format.

Can You Make a Table of Contents on Mobile?

On iPhone and iPad, Google Docs supports inserting a table of contents when Print layout is on and the document contains Title or Heading styles.

On Android, Google currently allows you to create and edit heading styles, but the Google Docs app does not support inserting a table of contents.

Related Google Docs Guides

How to Add Page Numbers in Google Docs

Add automatic page numbers and control where numbering begins.

How to Change Margins in Google Docs

Adjust the top, bottom, left, and right margins.

How to Remove a Blank Page in Google Docs

Fix unwanted blank pages caused by breaks and spacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs make a table of contents automatically?

Google Docs can create the table automatically from text formatted with Title or Heading styles.

Why is my heading missing from the table of contents?

Check that the text uses an actual heading style, then refresh the table of contents.

Can I update the table after editing the document?

Yes. Refresh the table of contents after adding, deleting, or renaming headings.

Can I add a table of contents on Android?

Not currently. The Android Google Docs app supports heading styles but does not support inserting a table of contents.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Use headings first, then let Google Docs build the table

A useful table of contents starts with a clear heading structure. Apply heading styles to your section titles, insert the table of contents, and refresh it whenever the document structure changes.

SOURCES AND LAST CHECKED

This guide is based on current Google Docs Editors Help documentation for headings and tables of contents on computer, iPhone, iPad, and Android. Google may change interface details over time. Last checked: September 2026.