Thesis Formatting Guides
How to Update the Table of Contents and Page Numbers in Word
Update Word fields after generating your thesis so the table of contents, figure lists and page numbers display correctly.
The formatter inserts Word fields for the table of contents, lists and page numbers. Microsoft Word must calculate these fields after the final document is opened.
Update all fields
- Open the generated DOCX in desktop Microsoft Word.
- Press Ctrl + A to select the entire document.
- Press F9.
- When Word asks about the table of contents, select Update entire table.
- Save the document.
Roman and Arabic pagination
Preliminary pages can use lowercase Roman numbers such as i, ii and iii. The main content can restart with Arabic numbers at the general introduction or the first chapter, depending on the selected profile.
When the table of contents is incomplete
- Confirm that titles use Heading styles.
- Check that the title level is included in the TOC settings.
- Remove manually typed page numbers from the source files.
- Update the entire table, not page numbers only.
Export to PDF
After checking the fields and layout, use File → Save As or Export → Create PDF/XPS. Review the PDF at 100% zoom before printing.
Generate the structured DOCX first
Then update its fields in Microsoft Word before exporting to PDF.