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Table of Contents – Types, Formats, Examples

Table of Contents

Definition:

Table of contents (TOC) is a list of the headings or sections in a document or book, arranged in the order in which they appear. It serves as a roadmap or guide to the contents of the document, allowing readers to quickly find specific information they are looking for.

A typical table of contents includes chapter titles, section headings, subheadings, and their corresponding page numbers.

The table of contents is usually located at the beginning of the document or book, after the title page and any front matter, such as a preface or introduction.

Table of Contents in Research

In Research, A Table of Contents (TOC) is a structured list of the main sections or chapters of a research paper , Thesis and Dissertation . It provides readers with an overview of the organization and structure of the document, allowing them to quickly locate specific information and navigate through the document.

Importance of Table of Contents

Here are some reasons why a TOC is important:

• Navigation : It serves as a roadmap that helps readers navigate the document easily. By providing a clear and concise overview of the contents, readers can quickly locate the section they need to read without having to search through the entire document.
• Organization : A well-structured TOC reflects the organization of the document. It helps to organize the content logically and categorize it into easily digestible chunks, which makes it easier for readers to understand and follow.
• Clarity : It can help to clarify the document’s purpose, scope, and structure. It provides an overview of the document’s main topics and subtopics, which can help readers to understand the content’s overall message.
• Efficiency : This can save readers time and effort by allowing them to skip to the section they need to read, rather than having to go through the entire document.
• Professionalism : Including a Table of Contents in a document shows that the author has taken the time and effort to organize the content properly. It adds a level of professionalism and credibility to the document.

Types of Table of Contents

There are different types of table of contents depending on the purpose and structure of the document. Here are some examples:

Simple Table of Contents

This is a basic table of contents that lists the major sections or chapters of a document along with their corresponding page numbers.

Example: Table of Contents

I. Introduction …………………………………………. 1

II. Literature Review ………………………………… 3

III. Methodology ……………………………………… 6

IV. Results …………………………………………….. 9

V. Discussion …………………………………………. 12

VI. Conclusion ……………………………………….. 15

Expanded Table of Contents

This type of table of contents provides more detailed information about the contents of each section or chapter, including subsections and subheadings.

A. Background …………………………………….. 1

B. Problem Statement ………………………….. 2

C. Research Questions ……………………….. 3

II. Literature Review ………………………………… 5

A. Theoretical Framework …………………… 5

B. Previous Research ………………………….. 6

C. Gaps and Limitations ……………………… 8 I

II. Methodology ……………………………………… 11

A. Research Design ……………………………. 11

B. Data Collection …………………………….. 12

C. Data Analysis ……………………………….. 13

IV. Results …………………………………………….. 15

A. Descriptive Statistics ……………………… 15

B. Hypothesis Testing …………………………. 17

V. Discussion …………………………………………. 20

A. Interpretation of Findings ……………… 20

B. Implications for Practice ………………… 22

VI. Conclusion ……………………………………….. 25

A. Summary of Findings ……………………… 25

B. Contributions and Recommendations ….. 27

Graphic Table of Contents

This type of table of contents uses visual aids, such as icons or images, to represent the different sections or chapters of a document.

I. Introduction …………………………………………. [image of a light bulb]

II. Literature Review ………………………………… [image of a book]

III. Methodology ……………………………………… [image of a microscope]

IV. Results …………………………………………….. [image of a graph]

V. Discussion …………………………………………. [image of a conversation bubble]

Alphabetical Table of Contents

This type of table of contents lists the different topics or keywords in alphabetical order, along with their corresponding page numbers.

A. Abstract ……………………………………………… 1

B. Background …………………………………………. 3

C. Conclusion …………………………………………. 10

D. Data Analysis …………………………………….. 8

E. Ethics ……………………………………………….. 6

F. Findings ……………………………………………… 7

G. Introduction ……………………………………….. 1

H. Hypothesis ………………………………………….. 5

I. Literature Review ………………………………… 2

J. Methodology ……………………………………… 4

K. Limitations …………………………………………. 9

L. Results ………………………………………………… 7

M. Discussion …………………………………………. 10

Hierarchical Table of Contents

This type of table of contents displays the different levels of headings and subheadings in a hierarchical order, indicating the relative importance and relationship between the different sections.

    A. Background …………………………………….. 2

      B. Purpose of the Study ……………………….. 3

      A. Theoretical Framework …………………… 5

             1. Concept A ……………………………….. 6

                    a. Definition ………………………….. 6

                     b. Example ……………………………. 7

              2. Concept B ……………………………….. 8

       B. Previous Research ………………………….. 9

III. Methodology ……………………………………… 12

       A. Research Design ……………………………. 12

             1. Sample ……………………………………. 13

               2. Procedure ………………………………. 14

       B. Data Collection …………………………….. 15

            1. Instrumentation ……………………….. 16

            2. Validity and Reliability ………………. 17

       C. Data Analysis ……………………………….. 18

          1. Descriptive Statistics …………………… 19

           2. Inferential Statistics ………………….. 20

IV. Result s …………………………………………….. 22

    A. Overview of Findings ……………………… 22

B. Hypothesis Testing …………………………. 23

V. Discussion …………………………………………. 26

A. Interpretation of Findings ………………… 26

B. Implications for Practice ………………… 28

VI. Conclusion ……………………………………….. 31

A. Summary of Findings ……………………… 31

B. Contributions and Recommendations ….. 33

Table of Contents Format

Here’s an example format for a Table of Contents:

I. Introduction

C. Methodology

II. Background

A. Historical Context

B. Literature Review

III. Methodology

A. Research Design

B. Data Collection

C. Data Analysis

IV. Results

A. Descriptive Statistics

B. Inferential Statistics

C. Qualitative Findings

V. Discussion

A. Interpretation of Results

B. Implications for Practice

C. Limitations and Future Research

VI. Conclusion

A. Summary of Findings

B. Contributions to the Field

C. Final Remarks

VII. References

VIII. Appendices

Note : This is just an example format and can vary depending on the type of document or research paper you are writing.

When to use Table of Contents

A TOC can be particularly useful in the following cases:

• Lengthy documents : If the document is lengthy, with several sections and subsections, a Table of contents can help readers quickly navigate the document and find the relevant information.
• Complex documents: If the document is complex, with multiple topics or themes, a TOC can help readers understand the relationships between the different sections and how they are connected.
• Technical documents: If the document is technical, with a lot of jargon or specialized terminology, This can help readers understand the organization of the document and locate the information they need.
• Legal documents: If the document is a legal document, such as a contract or a legal brief, It helps readers quickly locate specific sections or provisions.

How to Make a Table of Contents

Here are the steps to create a table of contents:

• Organize your document: Before you start making a table of contents, organize your document into sections and subsections. Each section should have a clear and descriptive heading that summarizes the content.
• Add heading styles : Use the heading styles in your word processor to format the headings in your document. The heading styles are usually named Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, and so on. Apply the appropriate heading style to each section heading in your document.
• Insert a table of contents: Once you’ve added headings to your document, you can insert a table of contents. In Microsoft Word, go to the References tab, click on Table of Contents, and choose a style from the list. The table of contents will be inserted into your document.
• Update the table of contents: If you make changes to your document, such as adding or deleting sections, you’ll need to update the table of contents. In Microsoft Word, right-click on the table of contents and select Update Field. Choose whether you want to update the page numbers or the entire table, and click OK.

Purpose of Table of Contents

A table of contents (TOC) serves several purposes, including:

• Marketing : It can be used as a marketing tool to entice readers to read a book or document. By highlighting the most interesting or compelling sections, a TOC can give readers a preview of what’s to come and encourage them to dive deeper into the content.
• Accessibility : A TOC can make a document or book more accessible to people with disabilities, such as those who use screen readers or other assistive technologies. By providing a clear and organized overview of the content, a TOC can help these readers navigate the material more easily.
• Collaboration : This can be used as a collaboration tool to help multiple authors or editors work together on a document or book. By providing a shared framework for organizing the content, a TOC can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
• Reference : It can serve as a reference tool for readers who need to revisit specific sections of a document or book. By providing a clear overview of the content and organization, a TOC can help readers quickly locate the information they need, even if they don’t remember exactly where it was located.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Table of Contents/Lists Pages Templates

• Table of contents template (DOC)

This Microsoft Word document can be saved to your computer to use as a template. It was created using Microsoft Office 2013 version of Word. Please email [email protected] if you have problems with the download.

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IEEE Paper Format | Template & Guidelines

Published on August 24, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on April 6, 2023.

IEEE provides guidelines for formatting your paper. These guidelines must be followed when you’re submitting a manuscript for publication in an IEEE journal. Some of the key guidelines are:

• Formatting the text as two columns, in Times New Roman, 10 pt.
• Including a byline, an abstract , and a set of keywords at the start of the research paper
• Placing any figures, tables, and equations at the top or bottom of a column, not in the middle
• Following the appropriate heading styles for any headings you use
• Including a full list of IEEE references at the end
• Not including page numbers

To learn more about the specifics of IEEE paper format, check out the free template below. Note that you may not need to follow these rules if you’ve only been told to use IEEE citation format for a student paper. But you do need to follow them to submit to IEEE publications.

Table of contents

Ieee format template, ieee heading styles, frequently asked questions about ieee.

The template below can be used to make sure that your paper follows IEEE format. It’s set up with custom Word styles for all the different parts of the text, with the right fonts and formatting and with further explanation of key points.

Make sure to remove all the explanatory text in the template when you insert your own.

Download IEEE paper format template

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

IEEE recommends specific heading styles to distinguish the title and different levels of heading in your paper from each other. Styles for each of these are built into the template.

The paper title is written in 24 pt. Times New Roman, centered at the top of the first page. Other headings are all written in 10 pt. Times New Roman:

• Level 1 text headings begin with a roman numeral followed by a period. They are written in small caps, in title case, and centered.
• Level 2 text headings begin with a capital letter followed by a period. They are italicized, left-aligned, and written in title case.
• Level 3 text headings begin with a number followed by a closing parenthesis . They are italicized, written in sentence case, and indented like a regular paragraph. The text of the section follows the heading immediately, after a colon .
• Level 4 text headings begin with a lowercase letter followed by a closing parenthesis. They are italicized, written in sentence case, and indented slightly further than a normal paragraph. The text of the section follows the heading immediately, after a colon.
• Component headings are used for the different components of your paper outside of the main text, such as the acknowledgments and references. They are written in small caps, in title case, centered, and without any numbering.

You should use 10 pt. Times New Roman font in your IEEE format paper .

For the paper title, 26 pt. Times New Roman is used. For some other paper elements like table footnotes, the font can be slightly smaller. All the correct stylings are available in our free IEEE format template .

No, page numbers are not included in an IEEE format paper . If you’re submitting to an IEEE publication, page numbers will be added in the final publication but aren’t needed in the manuscript.

IEEE paper format requires you to include an abstract summarizing the content of your paper. It appears at the start of the paper, right after you list your name and affiliation.

The abstract begins with the word “Abstract,” italicized and followed by an em dash. The abstract itself follows immediately on the same line. The entire section is written in bold font. For example: “ Abstract —This paper discusses … ”

You can find the correct format for your IEEE abstract and other parts of the paper in our free IEEE paper format template .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, April 06). IEEE Paper Format | Template & Guidelines. Scribbr. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/ieee/ieee-paper-format/

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Research Table of Contents Template

Save, fill-In The Blanks, Print, Done!

Download Research Table of Contents Template

Or select the format you want and we convert it for you for free:

• This Document Has Been Certified by a Professional
• 100% customizable
• This is a digital download (41.5 kB)
• Language: English
• We recommend downloading this file onto your computer.

• Acknowledgments
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology or Materials and methods
• Conclusions
• Identify headers, 
• Assign headers, 
• Insert the Table of Contents,
• Check if all headers you want are assigned correctly.
• Start identifying all headers in your document, they are currently in ‘Default’ (‘ Start’ > ‘Styles’ ). 
• Select the full header and modify if necessary, before assigning the Header level.
• Choose the header of choice by clicking ‘Start’ > ‘Styles’ 
• Select the header you like to assign a Header 1 (or H2, H3 others ).
• Modify the header by floating over the Header of choice, and by clicking the right mouse button > 'Edit'
• Please note that any changes done to your Header will impact all headers on the same level ( H1, H2, etc ).
• Go to the location where you want to insert the table of contents in the document, often on the first page or at the beginning of your document.
• You may consider pasting your own template, that we prepared for you, such as this Research Table of Contents.
• Or you click Automatic Table of Contents style from the list (Click 'References > Table of Contents ').
• Your new Table of Contents will appear and is finished. 
• In your final printed document, the Table of Contents will show all the headers of choice, including their page numbers that indicate where each part starts, in a neat and professional layout.
• For any update to your TOC, go to ‘References > Update Table’ .
• Select ' Update page numbers only '  (if there is no problem with the headers, always choose this option)
• Select ‘OK’ .
• Update entire table  (if you want a completely new TOC, however, consider it might impact more than you wish to change, and also you might need to modify again all manual changes you made)
• This will reflect any updates to the heading text, as well as any page changes.
• Select  ‘OK’ .
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How to create Table of Contents in Word? Have a look at our collection of TOC Templates now and download the most suitable ones for your document directly

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Best Table of Contents Template Examples for Microsoft Word

A good-looking table of contents template will give your documents a professional look. We have the best examples around.

A Table of Contents (ToC) is used extensively in a variety of documents. There are different styles of templates available online. If you work primarily with Microsoft Word, you can download templates from the Microsoft online store or other websites.

Whether you are a student, a corporate employee, or a creative person, there are many templates for you to choose from. This article summarizes some best-looking templates for Microsoft Word.

Creative Table of Contents Word Templates

The table of contents of your document sets the stage for the rest of the document. The style you choose depends on the kind of document you're creating.

• If it's an informational pamphlet your company is handing out to potential customers, something in between formal and casual can work well.
• If it's a table of contents for a school event or a non-profit organization, something a little more creative and fun is a good choice.

The following templates are best suited for those creative or informal projects.

1. Blue Background

This table of contents template is modern and easy to read. You can customize the following aspects of the template:

• Change the font style and size
• Modify the background-color
• Resize the boxes

This Microsoft Word table of contents template also works well for an event, business informational booklet, or anything that doesn't require many pages.

You can download this template in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and PDF. It's free to download, but you'll need to provide your email address first.

2. Clean and Simple

If you're looking for a table of contents template that is easy to create and looks professional, this template is a good choice.

It includes a date column, topic, and page number. These features make it an ideal template for a journal or a logbook. There are 26 entries available per page. If you need a more extended table of contents, create another page from the existing template.

You can download this template in Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and PDF formats. It's also available in Mac Numbers format. You can provide your email address and download it for free.

3. Creative Table of Contents

If you're putting together a document for an event, this playful table of contents is ideal. You can change the main graphic and the text. The numbers and individual blocks for the text are also editable. You can double-click each field and change it to anything you like.

This template can be downloaded in Microsoft Word, PDF, and Microsoft PPT.

4. Landscape Table of Contents

This landscape template is a refreshing change if you're tired of the same old portrait-style table of contents. It's ideal for a document that's in landscape format already.

This template can be used for a document with a lot of images. It has two TOCs, one for the text and the other for images. You can place the text at the beginning of the document, followed by images in the second half. You can edit this template in Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, and Google Docs.

5. Book-Style Table of Contents

This Microsoft Word table of contents template is a delicate balance between creative and formal. It is ideal for a book. The name of the book and tagline is on the top of the template. The header size differentiates the main chapter from the subchapters. There is a vertical graphic, and all the elements are editable.

The format is very clean and suitable for a small book that you may be writing for school or work. The outline is very organized and easy to follow with just a quick scan. This ToC template can be viewed in Microsoft Word, PPT, or PDF.

If these templates don't align with your needs, you can create a Word template from scratch .

Formal Table of Contents Word Templates

If your project is too formal for the templates listed above, there are lots of free templates available that are more professional. A well-formatted table of contents can make all the difference for a college dissertation or a formal white paper.

The following templates are a great selection that works as a table of contents for any project you may be working on.

6. Indented Table of Contents

This table of contents template is laid out for something like a research paper. It includes a preface, a list of tables, figures, and schemes, and a section of indented chapters. It's ideal for educational use.

The ToC you download includes highlighted text that you can replace with your sections. The first sections start with Roman numeral numbering and then switch to decimal numbering starting with the chapters.

You can keep this format or tailor it to your own needs. You can download the table of contents template in DOC or PDF formats.

7. Academic Table of Contents

If you're working on a dissertation or any other formal academic paper, this is a perfect Microsoft template for the start of your document.

It's presented in a standard outline format that works well for a very long paper. Each significant section is in bold, and every subsection is numbered below those headers.

The table of contents is a simple way to view the entire contents of your paper without too much effort. If any section needs to move, it's easy to shift a selection down or up and renumber it. You can download it in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

RELATED: How to Make a Custom Cover Page in Microsoft Word

8. Formatted Table of Contents

If you're looking for a well-formatted table of contents template with a distinctive design, this one from Microsoft Word is a real gem. Along with a nice header, the entire outline is cleanly formatted. It has indented sub-chapters and further indented sections as well.

Download the template in Word format and customize it to the contents of your document.

9. Project Table of Contents

If you're working on a school project or any paper, you need to organize it clearly; this table of contents template is perfect. The template is more advanced, with text form fields for name, project title, and page numbers.

The template is divided into the standard sections of an academic research paper. So if that's what you're working on, then this table of contents template will save you a lot of time.

It is available as a free download only in Microsoft Word format.

10. Research Grant Table of Contents

This template for Microsoft Word is a detailed table of contents built specifically for a research grant. If you are responsible for writing one, this template will save a lot of time.

It's a highly functional template for other purposes as well. It includes an introductory section that serves as the paper's preface, and the numbered section outlining all areas of the main document.

Likewise, it has a professional appearance that is bound to impress anyone who comes across it.

Techniques for Formatting Table of Contents

Once you've found a template that you're happy with, all you need to do is open the template in Microsoft Word to insert your section titles and page numbers.

However, you might find that spending a bit more time perfecting your table of contents is worth the effort for a superior finished product.

RELATED: Essential Microsoft Word Routines You Have to Know

Styling Your Table of Contents

You can make visual tweaks in the same way you would in any other Microsoft Word document. But be careful because minor changes can create an undesired effect on the overall formatting.

When you start typing in your text, the problem is that the dots used to space each entry are set up as text rather than a dot leader.

If this is a case with the template you want to use, here's the fix:

• First, use the horizontal rule to set the desired tab stop.
• Click on the Home tab and click the dialog box launcher on the Paragraph section.
• Click Tabs , then choose the type of Leader that you want to use in your table of contents.

The spacing should now correct itself to look uniform, regardless of the length of the text string.

Keeping Your Table of Contents Accurate

If you're continually working on a document, you may find that further edits throw off your page numbers. To avoid this situation, you can use Microsoft Word's built-in table of contents functionality to keep things updated.

Head to the References tab and use the Table of Contents dropdown to access the different options available.

This method lends some significant advantages to navigability, despite giving you less control over how your table of contents is styled. When viewed on a computer, your table of contents will be hyperlinked to individual sections, and the page numbers will be accurate.

Exploring Other Templates by Microsoft

Now that you know about different types of templates, you can download them and add them to your next report or dissertation. If you love these templates and ideas, you can check templates for creating business requirements documents.

Don't forget the templates for writing business requirements documents that can make the task much more manageable.

How do I format a table of contents in MLA style?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

Tables of contents may be formatted in a number of ways. In our publications, we sometimes list chapter numbers before chapter titles and sometimes list the chapter titles alone. We also sometimes list section heads beneath the chapter titles. After each chapter or heading title, the page number on which the chapter or section begins is provided. The following show examples from three of the MLA’s books.

From Elizabeth Brookbank and H. Faye Christenberry’s  MLA Guide to Undergraduate Research in Literature  (Modern Language Association of America, 2019):

From  Approaches to Teaching Bechdel’s  Fun Home, edited by Judith Kegan Gardiner (Modern Language Association of America, 2018):

From the  MLA Handbook , 8th ed. (Modern Language Association of America, 2016):

Need more information? Read about where to place a table of contents in your paper .

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• Insert a table of contents Article

Insert a table of contents

A table of contents in Word is based on the headings in your document.

Create the table of contents

Put your cursor where you want to add the table of contents.

Go to References > Table of Contents . and choose an automatic style.

If you make changes to your document that affect the table of contents, update the table of contents by right-clicking the table of contents and choosing Update Field .

To update your table of contents manually, see Update a table of contents .

If you have missing entries

Missing entries often happen because headings aren't formatted as headings.

For each heading that you want in the table of contents, select the heading text.

Go to Home > Styles , and then choose Heading 1 .

Update your table of contents.

Word uses the headings in your document to build an automatic table of contents that can be updated when you change the heading text, sequence, or level.

Click where you want to insert the table of contents – usually near the beginning of a document.

Click References > Table of Contents and then choose an Automatic Table of Contents style from the list.

Note:  If you use a Manual Table of Contents style, Word won't use your headings to create a table of contents and won't be able to update it automatically. Instead, Word will use placeholder text to create the look of a table of contents so you can manually type each entry into the table of contents. To update your manual table of contents, see Update a table of contents .

If you want to Format or customize your table of contents , you can. For example, you can change the font, the number of heading levels, and whether to show dotted lines between entries and page numbers.

Click where you want to insert the table of contents—usually near the beginning of the document.

On the toolbar ribbon, select References . 

Near the left end, select Insert Table of Contents . (Or select Table of Contents > Insert Table of Contents . 

The table of contents is inserted, showing the headings and page numbering in your document.

If you make changes to your document that affect the table of contents, you can update it by right-clicking the table and selecting  Update Table of Contents .

Get the learning guide

For a hands-on guide that steps you through the process of creating a table of contents, download our Table of Contents tutorial . Or, in desktop Word, go to File > New , and search for table of contents .

Update a table of contents  

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17+ Research Report Templates in Google Docs | Word | Pages | PDF | XLS

A simple report is mainly required to present data for a particular audience and intent in a structured style. A report of the research is a paper created by an advisor or strategist who is a component of the equity study group. Such kinds of reports may concentrate on a particular inventory or industry sector, a monetary, product, or fixed-income tool, or a geographic region or nation. From an APA college scientific article to short middle grade history notes, we have a variety of templates for all levels of school like high school , elementary, 5th grade, 4th grade, or 2nd grade. A student has all the options in making a one-page or a formal amount of research report with the executive summary. Research report templates are used to make these kinds of reports.

Table of Content

8 steps to write a research report, step 1: select the research topic, step 2: write down the thesis statement, step 3: do your research, step 4: provide a good outline, step 5: make the rough draft, step 6: provide an introduction, step 7: provide the conclusion, step 8: proofread then submit, 17+ research report templates, 1. academic research report template, 2. free investment research report template, 3. free corporate research report template, 4. free company research report template, 5. research report executive summary template, 6. 2nd grade market research report template, 7. formal business research report template, 8. research report with cover paper template, 9. history research analysis report notes, 10. free university student short research report, 11. 4th grade high school one page research report, 12. 5th grade thesis research report outline, 13. free scientific article research report template, 14. college research report with executive summary, 15. primary health research report with introduction, 16. middle school students research report, 17. elementary school research report, 18. apa style for writing research report.

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