Issue with the table of contents
Solved
EliseC
-
EliseC -
EliseC -
Hello,
I apologize for bothering you. Like many, I have a problem with Microsoft Word 2013 when it comes to creating a table of contents. I am currently editing a file (about 200 pages) for publication, and I need to meet specific formatting criteria - I also switched from LibreOffice to Word because when I saved my odt file as .doc, after perfecting all my changes, the saving altered many criteria. So I restarted everything manually with Word, and I encountered numerous formatting issues (changes occurring with each save), which improved once I modified the dot file. However, now when I create my table of contents, very long texts are displayed as titles, some titles do not appear, the hierarchy is incorrect, titles on two lines are shown as two different titles, etc. I am trying to modify the styles of my file (normal, heading 1, 2, 3, etc.), but when I do that, entire sections of my text (up to 30 pages) get completely deranged, in different formats (font size, layout, indentation, bold, etc.). I've tried either selecting the Word headings and modifying them according to my criteria or creating my own styles, but nothing works. This leads to a real mess! And I no longer have the courage to re-edit my entire text... should I give up on the idea of an automatic table of contents?
PS: I am not used to forums, please excuse me if I forget to mention any information...
Configuration: Windows 7 / Chrome 33.0.1750.117
I apologize for bothering you. Like many, I have a problem with Microsoft Word 2013 when it comes to creating a table of contents. I am currently editing a file (about 200 pages) for publication, and I need to meet specific formatting criteria - I also switched from LibreOffice to Word because when I saved my odt file as .doc, after perfecting all my changes, the saving altered many criteria. So I restarted everything manually with Word, and I encountered numerous formatting issues (changes occurring with each save), which improved once I modified the dot file. However, now when I create my table of contents, very long texts are displayed as titles, some titles do not appear, the hierarchy is incorrect, titles on two lines are shown as two different titles, etc. I am trying to modify the styles of my file (normal, heading 1, 2, 3, etc.), but when I do that, entire sections of my text (up to 30 pages) get completely deranged, in different formats (font size, layout, indentation, bold, etc.). I've tried either selecting the Word headings and modifying them according to my criteria or creating my own styles, but nothing works. This leads to a real mess! And I no longer have the courage to re-edit my entire text... should I give up on the idea of an automatic table of contents?
PS: I am not used to forums, please excuse me if I forget to mention any information...
Configuration: Windows 7 / Chrome 33.0.1750.117
1 réponse
Hello
Well, that’s a lot of problems :))
We’ll try to get through it
I’ll take your problems listed out of order so we can address them in the right order
"I’m trying to modify the styles in my file (normal, headings 1, 2, 3, etc.), but when I do this, entire sections of my text (up to 30 pages) get completely messed up, in other formats (font size, layout, indentation, bold, etc.)."
You need to change a style option
Click on the Home tab then on the small arrow at the bottom of the Styles group
The Styles pane will appear on the right
For each style you use, right-click on the style / Modify / and uncheck "Update automatically"
"However, now when I create my table of contents, very long texts are showing up as headings"
That’s because those portions of text are in heading style instead of normal style
"..some headings are not showing up,"
That’s the opposite; it means the headings are not defined in heading style
For these two points, you need to go through your file and assign the correct style.
- start by going to File / Options / Advanced Options / Display section and set 3 cm for the "width of the styles pane in outline and draft mode" option
- Then go to the View tab / Views group / check "Draft"
There, you will visualize the style applied to each paragraph. Now it’s up to you to gently check the style you’ve applied and correct it. With the Styles pane displayed on the right
Start with this and let us know if it’s better
--
Argitxu
Well, that’s a lot of problems :))
We’ll try to get through it
I’ll take your problems listed out of order so we can address them in the right order
"I’m trying to modify the styles in my file (normal, headings 1, 2, 3, etc.), but when I do this, entire sections of my text (up to 30 pages) get completely messed up, in other formats (font size, layout, indentation, bold, etc.)."
You need to change a style option
Click on the Home tab then on the small arrow at the bottom of the Styles group
The Styles pane will appear on the right
For each style you use, right-click on the style / Modify / and uncheck "Update automatically"
"However, now when I create my table of contents, very long texts are showing up as headings"
That’s because those portions of text are in heading style instead of normal style
"..some headings are not showing up,"
That’s the opposite; it means the headings are not defined in heading style
For these two points, you need to go through your file and assign the correct style.
- start by going to File / Options / Advanced Options / Display section and set 3 cm for the "width of the styles pane in outline and draft mode" option
- Then go to the View tab / Views group / check "Draft"
There, you will visualize the style applied to each paragraph. Now it’s up to you to gently check the style you’ve applied and correct it. With the Styles pane displayed on the right
Start with this and let us know if it’s better
--
Argitxu
A huge thank you again, and see you soon!
So you went through the TM style to change the font. Unfortunately, the style applies to the entire line and it is not possible to mix.
That's why in a TdM, it's better to keep it simple and not customize it too much ;)
Argitxu