Automatic TOC, list of figures, and list of tables

An automatic table of contents only works if headings are real styles. The same idea applies to lists of figures and tables: captions must use Word’s caption feature (or an equivalent field), not plain typed labels.

Prepare heading styles

1. Apply Heading 1 to chapter titles and Heading 2/3 to sections.
2. Open the Navigation pane and confirm the outline looks like your chapter plan.
3. Fix any “fake headings” (bold paragraph text) by converting them to styles.

Insert the TOC

1. Place the cursor on the TOC page in front matter.
2. Use References → Table of Contents and choose a format your handbook accepts.
3. After major edits, click inside the TOC → Update Field → Update entire table.

Captions that feed lists

• Select a figure or table → References → Insert Caption.
• Keep one numbering scheme (chapter-based or continuous).
• Insert List of Figures / List of Tables from the References ribbon.
• Update those lists the same way you update the TOC.

Update TOC
Update List of Figures
Update List of Tables
Spot-check three random page numbers against the PDF

• All chapter titles use Heading 1
• TOC reflects final headings
• Every figure/table has a caption field
• Lists of figures/tables updated after last edit