Solved: Create table of contents links in Word XP

[daverose808]

using Word XP,
how do u create a table of contents.
i have a bunch of paragraphs that have a title on top, like this:

YYYYYY

xxxxxx
xxxxxx

YYYYYY

yyyyy
yyyyy

i want to be able to have at the top of all that, a page that has this:

XXXXXX
YYYYYYY

and the above would be links, so that when u clicked on either of the above, you would be sent directly to the corresponding page.

could u please guide me through this process? thank you!

 

[jimr381]

When you use the heading styles to format the document you can then use "Insert">>"Index and Tables">>"Table of Contents" from the menu bar to place a table of contents with hyperlinks already established.

If you do not know how to use heading styles then feel free to let me know.

 

[daverose808]

ive tried messing around with heading styles, but never got it to make sense. if u could cut and paste some instructions that u may have, id greatly appreciate it!

 

[jimr381]

Are all of the Xs and Ys formatted the same way?

 

[daverose808]

no...

 

[jimr381]

Do you have a hierarchy setup? Here is what I am envisioning. Main topics will be using Heading level 1. So I would take the Heading Level 1 style and have it formatted based upon the format you used for main topics before. I then would have it replace all the manual formatting you did before. I would then proceed to your sub topics and change Heading level 2 to represent those. For long documents it can save you hours upon hours if you use styles. Can you post your document so I can see it and walk you through it? If you replace your data with some fake data, then that will be fine as well as long as I know what is a main topic or sub topic.

 

[daverose808]

sure (especially since i really dont understand your comments, eg, hierarchy!)...
basically i am making a collection of PC tips that i have collected from various sources to give to my family, since they are all worse at computers than i am... i have attached a sample of it... thank you...

 

[jimr381]

I am taking a look at it now. Hierarchy means structure or a breakdown. So your parents are above you in a hierarchy and your kids if you have any will be below you.

 

[jimr381]

Here is the document with the table of contents already inserted (placed) within the document. You will notice that the main sections are using the heading 1 style, so basically it is the top tier in your hierarchy and all the topics within are using heading 2. Beside the font list you will notice a style list. This is one way you can apply styles as you are creating your document. The very first icon on the formatting toolbar is called "Style and Formatting." I personally use this to change, create and apply styles to long document.

 

[daverose808]

i dont see any attachment... sorry!

 

[jimr381]

Hmm let me try again.

 

[daverose808]

thank you!

 

[jimr381]

But the key thing is, can you do it again if you need a Table of Contents. Try going through the steps I told you about and make sure you understand. If not come back here and post and I will walk you through them again.

 

[daverose808]

thats so funny, i just tried doing it myself with the rest of the document and i couldnt figure it out.