Table of Contents – Format, Examples, and Guide

A table of contents is an organized list of a document’s main sections and subsections, usually followed by the page on which each begins. In digital documents, entries may also work as hyperlinks. It helps readers understand the structure, locate information quickly, and navigate long papers, theses, dissertations, reports, books, and manuals.

Introduction

A well-designed table of contents does more than list chapter titles. It reveals how a document is organized, shows the relationship between major and minor sections, and gives readers a reliable way to reach the information they need.

This guide explains what a table of contents is, what it should include, where it should appear, and how to format it for academic work. It also provides practical examples and step-by-step instructions for creating an automatic contents page in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LaTeX.

Because universities and publishers use different formatting rules, this guide also explains which recommendations are widely accepted and which must be checked against your institution’s handbook.

Key Takeaways

• A table of contents lists the main divisions of a document in the order in which they appear.
• Each entry should match the wording of the corresponding heading in the document.
• Automatic tables are more reliable than manually typed ones.
• Heading styles control which sections appear in Word, Google Docs, and many PDF exports.
• Rules for listing the abstract, acknowledgements, and other preliminary pages vary by institution.
• Your university, department, publisher, or instructor’s requirements take priority over generic examples.

What Is a Table of Contents?

A table of contents, commonly abbreviated as TOC, is a structured list of the chapters, sections, and sometimes subsections contained in a document. Each entry normally identifies the page on which that part begins. In an electronic document, the entry may also link directly to the relevant section.

A contents page therefore performs two functions:

1. It summarizes the organization of the document.
2. It provides a navigation system for the reader.

For example, a thesis contents page may list the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, references, and appendices. A shorter report might list only its main sections.

Is “table of content” correct?

The standard term is table of contents, with contents in the plural. The document contains multiple sections or items, which is why the plural form is normally used.

Table of Contents vs. Outline, Index, and Other Lists

A table of contents is sometimes confused with other organizational elements. They are related, but they serve different purposes.

Element	Main purpose	Usual location	What it contains
Table of contents	Shows the structure and location of sections	Near the beginning	Chapters, headings, subheadings, and page numbers
Outline	Plans or summarizes the logical structure	Before writing or as a planning document	Proposed arguments, topics, and supporting points
Index	Helps readers find specific subjects and names	End of a book or long report	Alphabetical topics with page references
List of figures	Locates figures, charts, or illustrations	Preliminary pages	Figure numbers, titles, and pages
List of tables	Locates data tables	Preliminary pages	Table numbers, titles, and pages
Navigation pane	Allows movement through a digital document	Software interface	Headings recognized by the application
PDF bookmarks	Provide clickable document navigation	PDF sidebar	Links to sections, pages, figures, or other destinations

An outline is primarily a planning tool, while a table of contents reflects the final or current structure of the document. An index is organized alphabetically by topic rather than sequentially by chapter.

Why Is a Table of Contents Important?

A table of contents improves both readability and document management.

It helps readers navigate

Readers may not read a thesis, report, or handbook from beginning to end. A clear contents page allows them to locate the methodology, findings, recommendations, appendices, or other relevant sections quickly.

It reveals the document’s structure

The hierarchy of chapters and subheadings shows how the argument or investigation is organized. Readers can see which topics receive major treatment and how individual sections relate to one another.

It supports academic evaluation

Supervisors, examiners, editors, and reviewers can use the contents page to assess whether the document has a logical structure and includes the expected components.

It improves document maintenance

An automatic table of contents helps authors manage long documents. When headings or page locations change, the table can be updated rather than rewritten.

It contributes to accessibility

A visual contents page is helpful, but the underlying heading structure is equally important. Proper heading styles allow screen-reader users to navigate a document and can support the creation of links and PDF bookmarks. Accessible PDF guidance emphasizes structured headings, logical reading order, links, bookmarks, and other navigational aids (Adobe, 2026; World Wide Web Consortium, n.d.).

When Do You Need a Table of Contents?

A table of contents is most useful when a document is long enough or complex enough that readers need help locating individual sections.

Document type	Is a table of contents normally useful?	Practical guidance
Short essay	Usually no	Add one only when required
Short research paper	Sometimes	Useful when the paper has several clearly divided sections
Long research paper	Usually	Include major headings and relevant subheadings
Thesis or dissertation	Usually required	Follow the graduate-school template or handbook
Research proposal	Sometimes	Useful for long proposals or funding applications
Laboratory or technical report	Often	Include major sections, appendices, and supporting lists where required
Book or monograph	Usually	May list parts, chapters, authors, and subsection titles
Policy manual	Usually	Use a clickable, automatically updated contents page
Portfolio	Often	May use a more visual design
Journal article	Usually no	Journals normally provide their own online navigation
Presentation	Not usually called a TOC	An agenda or overview slide is more appropriate

There is no universal page-count rule. A five-page document with two sections may not need one, while a relatively short technical report with many independently consulted sections may benefit from one.

What Should Be Included in a Table of Contents?

A contents page should include enough detail to make the document easy to navigate without reproducing every minor heading.

Core elements

Most tables of contents contain:

• The titles of major parts or chapters.
• Important section headings.
• Selected subsection headings.
• The page on which each section begins.
• Indentation or numbering that shows the heading hierarchy.
• Links to sections in digital versions, where supported.

The wording, capitalization, numbering, and order of the entries should correspond to the headings used in the document.

Should preliminary pages be included?

The answer depends on the institution.

Preliminary or front-matter pages can include:

• Abstract
• Declaration
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• List of tables
• List of figures
• List of abbreviations
• Glossary

Some institutions require most or all preliminary sections to be listed. Others exclude pages that appear before the table of contents. Therefore, a generic online example should not be treated as the final authority.

For instance, one graduate school may instruct students not to list preliminary pages appearing before the contents page, while another may require the abstract, preface, contents page, and other preliminary material to appear. This difference is not an error; it reflects separate institutional systems.

Should the table of contents include itself?

Often it does not, because listing the current page provides little navigational value. However, some university templates explicitly require it. Follow the approved template rather than removing or adding the entry manually.

Should references and appendices be included?

References, a bibliography, and appendices are commonly listed because they are substantial parts of the document. Each appendix may be listed individually when it has a separate title.

Example:

• References
• Appendix A: Participant Information Sheet
• Appendix B: Interview Questions
• Appendix C: Additional Statistical Results

Should every subheading be included?

Usually not.

Including every heading may produce a crowded contents page that is harder to scan than the document itself. For most academic documents:

• Level 1 headings should be included.
• Level 2 headings are often included.
• Level 3 headings may be included when they add useful detail.
• Levels 4 and 5 are normally omitted unless required.

The choice should be consistent. Do not include selected level 3 headings while excluding other headings of equal structural importance without a clear reason.

Where Does the Table of Contents Go?

A table of contents belongs in the preliminary or front-matter section, before the main body of the document.

A common order is:

1. Title page
2. Approval or declaration page
3. Abstract
4. Dedication or acknowledgements
5. Table of contents
6. List of tables
7. List of figures
8. List of abbreviations
9. Main text

However, this sequence is not universal. Some institutions place the lists of tables and figures before the contents page, while others place them after it.

For a thesis or dissertation, use the official order prescribed by the graduate school. For a course paper, follow the instructor’s directions.

Page Numbering in a Table of Contents

Long academic documents often use two page-number systems:

• Lowercase Roman numerals for preliminary pages: i, ii, iii, iv.
• Arabic numerals for the main text: 1, 2, 3, 4.

The title page may be counted without displaying a page number. The main text often begins with page 1 at the introduction or first chapter.

The table of contents should reproduce the number that actually appears or is assigned to the referenced page. It should not convert a Roman-numbered page into an Arabic number.

This arrangement is normally created by dividing a Word document into sections and assigning a separate page-number format to each section.

Types of Tables of Contents

1. Simple table of contents

A simple TOC lists only chapters or first-level headings.

It is suitable for short documents or books whose chapter titles provide sufficient detail.

Example:

Introduction …………………………………. 1
Literature Review ………………………….. 5
Methodology ………………………………… 14
Results ……………………………………….. 26
Conclusion …………………………………… 40

2. Detailed table of contents

A detailed TOC includes chapters and second-level headings.

It is suitable for research papers, reports, and many dissertations.

Example:

3. Methodology ……………………………… 21
      3.1 Research Design …………………… 22
      3.2 Population and Sample …………… 25
      3.3 Data Collection …………………… 29

3. Multilevel table of contents

A multilevel TOC includes three or more heading levels.

It can be useful in technical, legal, or doctoral documents, but excessive depth can make it difficult to scan.

Example:

4. Results ……………………………………… 38
      4.1 Quantitative Results ………………… 39
         4.1.1 Descriptive Statistics ……….. 40
         4.1.2 Regression Analysis ………….. 44

4. Interactive table of contents

An interactive TOC contains links that take the reader directly to a section. This format is particularly useful in:

• Electronic theses and dissertations
• Policy manuals
• E-books
• Digital reports
• Long PDF documents
• Online documentation

An interactive TOC should not replace a logical heading structure. The document should remain understandable and navigable with assistive technology.

5. Expanded or descriptive table of contents

Some edited books, proceedings, magazines, and reports add author names or short descriptions beneath chapter titles.

This format is less common in student research papers but can be useful when chapters have different contributors.

How to Format a Table of Contents

A good contents page should be easy to scan and consistent with the document.

Use a clear title

Common titles include:

• Table of Contents
• Contents

Use the wording prescribed by the institution or publisher. Avoid punctuation after the title unless the style guide requires it.

Match the document headings

Every entry should correspond to an actual section. If the document heading says “Data Collection Procedures,” the contents page should not shorten it to “Data Collection” unless the institution explicitly permits shortened entries.

Show hierarchy consistently

Use indentation, numbering, spacing, or a combination of these features.

For example:

1. Introduction
      1.1 Background of the Study
      1.2 Research Problem
      1.3 Research Objectives

A lower-level entry should be indented farther than the heading above it.

Align page numbers

Page numbers are usually aligned at the right margin. This creates a consistent column that readers can scan quickly.

Use dot leaders appropriately

Dot leaders are the row of dots connecting an entry to its page number:

Methodology ………………………………… 25

They help the eye move from a heading to the corresponding number. Use tab stops or automatic TOC formatting rather than typing individual periods.

Keep typography consistent

The contents page should normally use the same font family as the rest of the document. Institutions may specify:

• Font size
• Line spacing
• Bold or plain headings
• Capitalization
• Margins
• Indentation
• Spacing before and after entries

Do not use a decorative design for a formal thesis unless the institution permits it.

Avoid unnecessary depth

The contents page should give readers an overview, not reproduce the entire document outline. Two levels are sufficient for many papers. Three levels may be appropriate for a complex thesis.

Control long entries

When an entry extends onto a second line:

• Keep the page number clear.
• Use a hanging indent or consistent continuation indent.
• Prevent text from colliding with the page-number column.
• Avoid manually inserting spaces.

Table of Contents Example for a Research Paper

Table of Contents

Abstract ………………………………………………………. ii

1. Introduction ……………………………………………….. 1
      1.1 Background of the Study …………………… 2
      1.2 Research Problem ………………………….. 4
      1.3 Research Objectives ………………………… 5
2. Literature Review …………………………………………. 7
      2.1 Theoretical Framework ………………………. 8
      2.2 Previous Studies ……………………………. 12
      2.3 Research Gap …………………………………. 16
3. Methodology ………………………………………………. 18
      3.1 Research Design ……………………………… 18
      3.2 Population and Sample ……………………… 20
      3.3 Data Collection ……………………………… 23
      3.4 Data Analysis ………………………………… 25
4. Results ………………………………………………………. 28
5. Discussion …………………………………………………… 36
6. Conclusion ………………………………………………….. 44
   References ……………………………………………………… 47
   Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire ……………………… 53

The example is illustrative. The inclusion of the abstract and the numbering system should be adjusted to the institution’s requirements.

Table of Contents Example for a Thesis or Dissertation

Table of Contents

Declaration ……………………………………………………….. ii
Abstract …………………………………………………………… iii
Acknowledgements ………………………………………………. iv
List of Tables …………………………………………………….. vii
List of Figures …………………………………………………… viii

Chapter 1: Introduction …………………………………………. 1
   1.1 Background ………………………………………….. 2
   1.2 Statement of the Problem ……………………….. 5
   1.3 Research Questions ……………………………….. 7
   1.4 Significance of the Study ………………………… 8

Chapter 2: Literature Review ………………………………… 11
   2.1 Conceptual Framework ………………………….. 12
   2.2 Empirical Literature ………………………………. 18
   2.3 Research Gap ……………………………………….. 29

Chapter 3: Research Methodology …………………………… 32
   3.1 Research Approach ……………………………….. 32
   3.2 Research Design …………………………………… 35
   3.3 Sampling Strategy ………………………………… 39
   3.4 Ethical Considerations ………………………….. 45

Chapter 4: Findings ………………………………………………. 48
Chapter 5: Discussion …………………………………………… 66
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations …………. 82
References ………………………………………………………… 89
Appendix A: Interview Guide …………………………………. 101
Appendix B: Consent Form ……………………………………. 104

How to Create a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word builds an automatic table of contents from the headings in a document. Text that merely looks like a heading because it is bold or large may not be recognized. The built-in heading styles must be applied (Microsoft Support, n.d.).

Step 1: Organize the heading hierarchy

Decide which headings represent each level:

• Heading 1: chapters or major sections
• Heading 2: subsections
• Heading 3: divisions within subsections

Apply the same level consistently to headings of equal importance.

Step 2: Apply Word heading styles

1. Select a major heading.
2. Open the Home tab.
3. Find the Styles group.
4. Select Heading 1.
5. Apply Heading 2 to second-level headings.
6. Apply Heading 3 where a third level is needed.

You can modify the visual appearance of a heading style without removing its structural role.

Step 3: Insert the automatic table

1. Place the cursor where the contents page should appear.
2. Open the References tab.
3. Select Table of Contents.
4. Choose an automatic style or select Custom Table of Contents.
5. Specify the number of heading levels to display.
6. Confirm the selection.

Word will generate entries from the recognized headings and add the corresponding page numbers.

Step 4: Customize the table

The custom options can be used to:

• Display or hide page numbers.
• Right-align page numbers.
• Change dot leaders.
• Select the number of levels.
• Modify TOC 1, TOC 2, and TOC 3 styles.
• Change indentation, font, spacing, and tabs.

Format the TOC styles rather than editing individual entries. Manual formatting may disappear the next time the table is updated.

Step 5: Update the table

After editing the document:

1. Click inside the table.
2. Select Update Table or right-click and choose Update Field.
3. Choose Update page numbers only when headings have not changed.
4. Choose Update entire table when headings were added, deleted, renamed, or moved.

Updating the entire table is the safer final-submission option.

Why are headings missing in Word?

Common causes include:

• The text was formatted manually instead of with a heading style.
• The heading uses an outline level excluded from the TOC.
• The table is set to display only one or two levels.
• A custom style has not been mapped to a TOC level.
• The table has not been updated.
• The heading is inside an unsupported object or text box.
• The heading was marked as body text.

Check the style and outline level of the missing heading before manually typing it into the table.

How do you remove an unwanted heading?

Do not delete the entry directly from the generated table because it may return after updating.

Instead:

• Apply a non-heading style to text that is not a true section heading.
• Change the heading’s outline level where appropriate.
• Adjust the custom TOC options.
• Map only the required styles to the displayed TOC levels.

How to Create a Table of Contents in Google Docs

Google Docs creates a table of contents from paragraph heading styles and currently offers formats with page numbers, dotted leaders, or hyperlink-style entries (Google, 2023).

Steps

1. Apply Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 styles to the document.
2. Place the cursor where the table should appear.
3. Open Insert.
4. Select Table of contents.
5. Choose the required format.
6. After changing the document, click the refresh or update control in the table.

Customization

Depending on the current Google Docs interface, customization options may allow you to:

• Select visible heading levels.
• Change line styles.
• Show or hide page numbers.
• Adjust text formatting.
• Use linked entries for digital navigation.

For a final academic submission, export the document to PDF and test whether the links remain functional.

How to Create a Table of Contents in LaTeX or Overleaf

LaTeX can generate a table of contents from the document’s structural commands. The basic command is:

\tableofcontents

A simple example is:

\documentclass{report}

\begin{document}

\tableofcontents

\chapter{Introduction}
\section{Background}
\section{Research Problem}

\chapter{Literature Review}
\section{Theoretical Framework}
\section{Previous Studies}

\chapter{Methodology}
\section{Research Design}
\section{Data Collection}

\end{document}

LaTeX automatically identifies commands such as \chapter, \section, and \subsection. Overleaf explains that unnumbered sections can be added manually with \addcontentsline when needed (Overleaf, n.d.).

To control the depth displayed:

\setcounter{tocdepth}{2}

The exact result depends on the document class and packages. Compile the document enough times for all references and page numbers to resolve correctly.

APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian Guidance

APA 7th edition

A table of contents is not normally required for a standard APA-style student or professional paper. It may nevertheless be required for a thesis, dissertation, long report, departmental submission, or individual assignment.

When one is required:

• Follow the institution’s instructions first.
• Use the same approved font and spacing system as the document.
• Represent the heading hierarchy consistently.
• Include the heading levels required by the institution.
• Avoid claiming that one unofficial online example is the only APA-approved layout.

APA heading rules can guide the document structure, but the institution may provide additional contents-page specifications.

MLA style

MLA publications use more than one acceptable contents-page arrangement. Chapter numbers may appear before titles, titles may appear without chapter numbers, and section headings may be listed beneath chapter entries. The official MLA guidance therefore demonstrates flexibility rather than prescribing one universal arrangement (Modern Language Association, 2020).

For current student work, consult the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook and the instructor’s instructions.

Chicago and Turabian style

Chicago and Turabian are frequently used for books, theses, dissertations, and research in the humanities and some social sciences. Turabian provides student-specific guidance for paper format and submission, including contents pages (University of Chicago Press, 2018).

A Chicago/Turabian contents page commonly:

• Lists parts, chapters, and major divisions.
• Uses wording consistent with the body headings.
• Shows page numbers clearly.
• Uses indentation to represent levels.
• Follows the university’s thesis requirements where they differ.

Automatic vs. Manual Table of Contents

Feature	Automatic TOC	Manual TOC
Uses heading styles	Yes	Not necessarily
Updates page numbers	Yes, when refreshed	No
Adds new headings automatically	Yes, when refreshed	No
Supports digital links	Usually	Only if added manually
Risk of typing errors	Lower	Higher
Suitable for a thesis	Strongly preferred	Usually unsuitable
Formatting control	High through styles	High but difficult to maintain
Accessibility support	Better when built correctly	Often weak

A manual table may be acceptable for a very short, fixed document. For a thesis, dissertation, manual, or frequently edited report, an automatic table is normally the better choice.

Tables of Contents in Modern Research Documents

Modern research documents are commonly read on laptops, tablets, phones, repository websites, and PDF readers. A contents page should therefore be designed for electronic navigation as well as printing.

Use semantic heading styles

Heading styles should represent the logical hierarchy rather than merely changing the appearance of text. A level should not be chosen simply because its font looks attractive.

Preserve links during PDF export

Use the application’s proper PDF export feature rather than printing to a generic PDF driver when the generic method removes links or document tags.

After exporting:

• Test several TOC links.
• Open the bookmarks panel.
• Check the reading order.
• Confirm that headings are represented correctly.
• Run the available accessibility checker.
• Verify that page numbers match the displayed pages.

University accessibility guidance increasingly recommends built-in heading styles and automatic contents features because they support screen-reader navigation and reduce inconsistencies.

Add PDF bookmarks

A visible contents page and PDF bookmarks are related but not identical. Bookmarks appear in the PDF reader’s navigation panel and can remain available while the reader views other pages.

Long electronic theses, manuals, and reports benefit from both.

Using Artificial Intelligence Responsibly

Generative AI can assist with document planning, but it should not replace the automatic contents feature in the authoring software.

Appropriate uses

AI may help:

• Propose a preliminary chapter structure.
• Identify inconsistent heading wording.
• Suggest shorter and clearer section titles.
• Detect gaps in a planned outline.
• Convert a rough list of topics into a logical hierarchy.
• Compare the current structure with assignment requirements supplied by the user.

Inappropriate or unreliable uses

AI should not be trusted to:

• Invent final page numbers.
• determine university requirements without checking the official handbook.
• Generate a static TOC that is disconnected from document headings.
• Decide which confidential or sensitive research materials should be uploaded.
• Replace human review of chapter order and logical argument.
• Claim that a specific layout is universally required by APA, MLA, or a university.

The final table should be generated from the actual document. This ensures that headings, order, links, and page numbers correspond to the submitted version.

Common Table-of-Contents Mistakes

Typing the entire table manually

Manual entries quickly become inaccurate when text moves. Use built-in heading styles and automatic generation.

Using bold text instead of a heading style

Visual formatting alone may not create document structure. Apply the appropriate heading style and then modify its appearance.

Including too many levels

A contents page with five or six displayed levels may be harder to use than the document. Include only levels that meaningfully help readers.

Using inconsistent wording

The entry should match the corresponding heading. Differences create doubt about whether the sections are the same.

Forgetting to update before submission

Final edits often move headings to different pages. Update the entire table after editing, formatting, adding references, and inserting appendices.

Manually typing dots or spaces

Typed periods and spaces rarely remain aligned. Use automatic dot leaders and right-aligned tab stops.

Ignoring long headings

Long entries can collide with page numbers or wrap poorly. Shorten the actual heading where academically appropriate or adjust the TOC style.

Listing sections in the wrong order

The table must reflect the order in the document. Do not alphabetize chapter headings.

Applying direct formatting to generated entries

Changing a single entry manually may be overwritten. Modify the relevant TOC style instead.

Assuming every university follows the same rules

Requirements for preliminary pages, capitalization, spacing, page numbering, and heading depth differ. Always check the official template.

Failing to test the exported PDF

A correct Word or Google Docs table may lose links during an unsuitable export process. Test the final file rather than assuming it works.

Troubleshooting Checklist

When a table of contents does not work correctly, check the following:

1. Are all section titles formatted with proper heading styles?
2. Does the hierarchy use Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 consistently?
3. Is the table configured to display the required number of levels?
4. Has the entire table been updated?
5. Are page-number sections configured correctly?
6. Are custom styles mapped to TOC levels?
7. Have manual edits been made inside the generated table?
8. Are the TOC 1, TOC 2, and TOC 3 styles correctly formatted?
9. Do long entries have sufficient space before the page-number column?
10. Do hyperlinks and bookmarks work in the exported PDF?

Final Quality Checklist

Before submitting the document, confirm that:

• The table appears in the institutionally required location.
• The title uses the required wording and format.
• All required chapters and sections are included.
• Unnecessary minor headings are excluded.
• Entries match document headings exactly.
• Heading levels are represented consistently.
• Page numbers are right-aligned.
• Roman and Arabic numerals are correct.
• References and appendices are included where required.
• Preliminary pages follow local requirements.
• Dot leaders and indentation are consistent.
• The complete table has been updated.
• Digital links work.
• The PDF contains useful bookmarks where required.
• The document passes the available accessibility checks.

Conclusion

A table of contents is both a structural overview and a navigation tool. The most reliable approach is to build the document with consistent heading styles and generate the contents page automatically. Include enough levels to guide readers, update the table after final editing, and test links in the exported PDF.

Most importantly, treat online examples as general guidance. The official requirements of the university, department, instructor, journal, or publisher should determine the final placement, included sections, page numbering, and formatting.

References

• Adobe. (2026, June 2). Accessible PDFs in InDesign. Adobe Help Center. https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/desktop/interactive-elements-and-forms/forms-and-pdfs/accessible-pdfs.html
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association: The official guide to APA style (7th ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
• Google. (n.d.). Add a title, heading, or table of contents in a document. Google Docs Editors Help. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://support.google.com/docs/answer/116338
• Microsoft. (n.d.-a). Format or customize a table of contents in Word. Microsoft Support. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/format-or-customize-a-table-of-contents-in-word
• Microsoft. (n.d.-b). Insert a table of contents. Microsoft Support. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/training/insert-a-table-of-contents
• Modern Language Association. (2020, July 27). How do I format a table of contents in MLA style? MLA Style Center. https://style.mla.org/formatting-table-of-contents/
• North Carolina State University Graduate School. (n.d.). Table of contents. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://grad.ncsu.edu/students/etd/etd-guide/table-of-contents/
• Overleaf. (n.d.). Table of contents. Overleaf Learning Center. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Table_of_contents
• University of British Columbia, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. (n.d.). Table of contents. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/dissertation-thesis-preparation/table-contents
• University of Chicago Press. (2018, August 20). How do I format a contents page in Turabian/Chicago style? CMOS Shop Talk. https://cmosshoptalk.com/2018/08/20/how-do-i-format-a-contents-page-in-turabian-chicago-style/