How to Create an APA Table of Contents | Format & Examples
Published on November 5, 2020 by Jack Caulfield. Revised on January 17, 2024.
A table of contents (TOC) is not required in an APA Style paper, but if you include one, it must adhere to specific guidelines. Here’s how to format and create it according to APA 7th edition.
APA Format Guidelines for the Table of Contents
- Placement: In a thesis or dissertation, the table of contents is placed between the abstract and introduction.
- Font and Size: Use the same font and size as the rest of your text (usually 12 pt Times New Roman).
- Title: At the top of the page, write “Contents,” centered and in bold.
Including Headings
- Headings to Include: Include all level 1 and level 2 headings in the table of contents. Level 1 headings are left-aligned, and level 2 headings are indented.
- Optional Headings: Including lower-level headings (level 3 and beyond) is optional. If included, each subsequent level should be indented further.
- Length: The table of contents should not exceed two pages.
Generating a Table of Contents in Word
To create a table of contents in Word, follow these steps:
1. Apply Heading Styles
- Highlight a Level 1 Heading in your document.
- Right-click on the “Heading 1” style in the Home tab and select Update Heading 1 to Match Selection.
- Repeat this for each heading level.
2. Generate the Table of Contents
- Write the Title “Contents” at the top of the page (styled as a level 1 heading).
- Place Your Cursor two lines below the title.
- Go to the References tab.
- Click on Table of Contents and select Custom Table of Contents.
- In the popup window, choose how many levels of headings to include under Show levels (at least two levels), then click OK.
3. Update the Table of Contents
- To Update: After making changes to your document, right-click on the table of contents and select Update Field.
- Choose to Update: You can select to update all information or just the page numbers. It’s advisable to update all to ensure accuracy.
Example Table of Contents
Contents
- Introduction ……………………………………….. 1
- Literature Review ………………………………… 3
2.1 Theoretical Framework ……………………… 4
2.2 Previous Studies ………………………………. 6 - Methodology ……………………………………… 8
- Results ………………………………………………. 10
- Discussion …………………………………………. 12
- Conclusion ……………………………………….. 14
- References ………………………………………… 16
Citation
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or use our free Citation Generator:
Caulfield, J. (2024, January 17). How to Create an APA Table of Contents | Format & Examples. Datapott Analytics. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from Scribbr
