How to Make a Table of Contents in Google Docs
Short Answer
How do you add a table of contents in Google Docs?
Format your section titles as headings, click where the table should go, then click Insert › Page elements › Table of contents and choose a style. Click Refresh to update it after you add headings. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then S T 1.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: References › With Page Numbers. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Using the Menus
- Format your section titles as Heading 1, Heading 2 and so on.
- Click where you want the table of contents.
- Click Insert › Page elements › Table of contents.
- Choose how you want it to look.
After adding headings, click the table and then Refresh. In pageless documents you can't change the table's formatting.
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Docs has no shortcut for this.
The Word-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Docs document.
- Click where you want the table of contents.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). Word-style key-tips appear.
- Press S, T, then 1. ShortieCuts runs “With Page Numbers”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt ST2 | Dotted LeadersReferences key-tips |
| Alt ST3 | With Blue LinksReferences key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: Table of Contents is Alt, S, T on Word's References tab. ShortieCuts adds a number to pick Google's style: 1 with page numbers, 2 with dotted leaders, 3 with blue links.
More Google Docs How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt HE | Clear FormattingBuilt-in: Ctrl + \ or Ctrl + Space |
| Alt HN | Numbered ListBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + 7 |
| Alt PJ2 | Columns |
| Alt HFP | Paint FormatBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + C |
| Alt H9 | ChecklistBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + 9 |
| Alt NNU | Page Numbers |
FAQ
Is there a keyboard shortcut to add a table of contents in Google Docs?
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Docs doesn't include one. Format your section titles as headings, click where the table should go, then click Insert › Page elements › Table of contents and choose a style. Click Refresh to update it after you add headings. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then S, then T, then 1.
Does Alt + S + T + 1 work in Google Docs?
Not on its own. Google Docs has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + S + T + 1 there won't add a table of contents. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then S, then T, then 1, and ShortieCuts runs its "With Page Numbers" command.
How do I add a table of contents in Google Docs on a Mac?
The steps above work the same way on a Mac. With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then S, then T, then 1.
Is ShortieCuts free?
ShortieCuts has a free 14-day trial with no credit card needed. After the trial, Pro is $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year.