APA table of contents: is it required and how to format it
Quick answer
The APA 7 manual does not require a table of contents in student papers. Many schools ask for one, especially in theses. When you include it, place it after the title page, title it "Table of Contents," list heading levels and align page numbers at the right.
Is a table of contents required in APA?
No. The manual says nothing about one for student papers, since APA format comes from journal articles, which have none. Theses, dissertations and long reports usually do need one. Rule of thumb: include it if your school asks, and skip it if not.
What does an APA-style table of contents look like?
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................... 3
Literature Review ............................... 5
Community Gardens ........................... 5
Urban Planning .............................. 8
Method .......................................... 12
Results ......................................... 15
References ...................................... 22The title is centered and bold. Dot leaders connect each heading to its page number, which is aligned right. Sublevels are indented.
How do I make one in Word?
- Apply Heading 1, 2 and 3 to your headings. Without this, Word has nothing to list.
- Put the cursor on a new page after the title page.
- Open References, click Table of Contents, then Custom Table of Contents.
- Set Show levels to 3.
- Before submitting, right-click the table and choose Update Field, Update entire table.
What about lists of tables and figures?
Long papers sometimes need separate lists. Word builds them with Insert Table of Figures after you add captions to your tables and figures.
Checklist
- Your school requires a table of contents
- Headings use Heading 1, 2 and 3 styles
- Contents placed after the title page
- Table updated before submitting
Frequently asked questions
Does APA require a table of contents?
No. The manual does not ask for one in student papers. Include it when your school or instructor requires it, as with theses and long reports, and follow their formatting if they give any.
How do I insert a table of contents in Word?
Apply heading styles to your headings, go to References, click Table of Contents and choose an automatic option. Update the table before submitting so the page numbers match the final version of your paper.
Which heading levels go in the table of contents?
Usually Levels 1 to 3. Levels 4 and 5 run into the paragraph text and are normally left out of the contents. Some schools ask for Levels 1 and 2 only, so check your handbook before you build it.