TOC not indenting properly

Question

I have a large document that uses headings 1,2, and 3. I added the "Classic" table of contents from the templates that are already made. The preview of what the TOC should look like shows the different headings indented. However, when I added the TOC to my document, they were not indented. I'm using the "Classic", but have tried it with the other options as well. I've also tried doing a custom TOC and it still isn't indenting properly.

Classic TOC

Screenshot 2024-06-11 at 9.50.57 AM.png

"Drinks/Cocktails" & "Breakfast" are Heading 1. The items under it are Heading 2. As you can see, they are NOT indented as the template shows they are supposed to be. I've also added a photo showing that "Drinks/Cocktails" are indeed set to Heading 1.

Screenshot 2024-06-11 at 9.52.21 AM.png

Screenshot 2024-06-11 at 10.00.36 AM.png

"Salads" is Heading 1; "Ahi Tuna Salad", "Chicken Salad", & "Dressings" are Heading 2; "Balsamic Dressing", "Italian Dressing", & "Ranch Dressing" are all Heading 3. Again, there is no indention as the format should be.

Screenshot 2024-06-11 at 9.51.28 AM.png

Answer 1

Hi @Michelle

Thanks for your back and sharing.

By the way, since the Microsoft Q&A community has a policy that "The question author cannot accept their own answer. They can only accept answers by others.", and according to the scenario introduced here: Answering your own questions on Microsoft Q&A, I would make a brief summary of this thread:

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Thread title:

TOC not indenting properly

Issue Symptom:

Using different type of TOCs, but incorrect indentation.

If adjusting indentation manually using the "Increase Indent" button, once the table is updated the indentation is incorrect again.

Current Status:

This issue has gone away after installing Office updates.

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Answer 2

Modify the individual TOC styles (TOC 1, TOC 2, etc.) so that they have the settings you want.

Answer 3

Hi @Michelle

Does this issue occur with other heading styles?

Please ensure the outline levels heading styles you set are correct.

I suggest you select some headers such as Heading 1 "Drinks/Cocktails", Heading 2 "Eggnog (Gene)", right-click on them one by one > choose "Paragraph", then take screenshots and share with us.

Besides, you may backup the document first, use the "Increase Indent" button or right-click one heading 2/heading 3 > "Paragraph", set the Indentation you want > OK.

Then click "Update Table" > "Update entire table".

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