The Word document directory needs to be updated manually because its static content will not be automatically adjusted as the document changes. The reasons include title modification, chapter adjustment or new pages. There are two ways to update: 1. Right-click the directory and select "Update Domain" to update only the page number and content; 2. Select "Update the entire directory" to refresh the format style. Common problems such as the title style is not synchronized, the directory is manually modified, or the section breaks are confused, and need to be checked and corrected separately. Other details include the need to update multiple directories separately, save documents before updating, and use the navigation pane to assist in checking. Mastering these steps can effectively manage directory updates.

Updating directories in Word documents is not complicated. As long as you master the methods, you can quickly update them after each content change.

Why do directories need to be updated manually?

Directories in Word are "static", which means that once inserted, they will not automatically change with the content of the document. For example, if you modify the title text, adjust the chapter order, or add a new page, these changes will not be automatically reflected in the directory. At this time, you need to manually update the directory to keep the document structure clear and consistent.

How to update the directory correctly?

There are actually two common ways to update a directory. Which one is selected depends on whether you only want to update the text and page number, or you want to refresh the directory format as well:

• Update only page numbers and title text : Right-click the directory → select "Update Domain" → select "Update Page Numbers and Content".
• Completely update the entire directory : including format styles (such as fonts, indents, etc.), select "Update the entire directory".

If you have used built-in title styles (such as "Title 1" and "Title 2" before), Word can correctly crawl the corresponding content to generate or update the directory.

FAQs and solutions

Sometimes you will find that the update is not changed, which may be caused by the following reasons:

• Title styles have been modified but not synchronized : Make sure you use standard title styles in the body, and don't just bold or change the font.
• The directory itself has been manually modified : for example, you delete a certain line or change the text directly, so the next update may conflict.
• The document does not renumber the page number or the section breaks are confused : errors in the directory page number are usually due to problems with the document structure. It is recommended to check whether the section breaks position affects the page number arrangement.

If the directory is grayed out and not editable, just double-click it to enter edit/update mode.

Some small details that are easy to ignore

• If you use multiple directories (such as one foreword and one for body text), you need to update them separately, and you cannot just click once and finish it.
• It is best to save the document before updating the directory to avoid accidents during operation.
• Use the "Navigation Pane" to quickly jump to various title locations, making it easier to check whether the directory is accurate.

Basically, that’s all. Master these steps and precautions, and you won’t be in a hurry when you encounter directory update problems.

The above is the detailed content of how to update a table of contents in Word. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!