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TOC table disappears when updating it.

Anonymous
2021-04-08T14:05:40+00:00

When updating a TOC table of content in a Word document created by my university, the entire table disappears. The table does not disppear in other Word programs or the online version. I have the most current version of Word installed on my computer without any other issues. Anyone experience the same problem and has a quick solution?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Stefan Blom 342.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2021-04-11T23:02:38+00:00

Check which character is defined as the list separator in your Windows installation. If you are using a comma for decimal sign (as opposed to a period which is used in English), you almost certainly need semi-colons in the field code.

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  1. Stefan Blom 342.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-08T16:48:21+00:00

    Try the following: Copy document content, excludingthe TOC as well as the final paragraph mark (¶), into a new, blank document. Recreate the TOC in the new document.

    To show/hide nonprinting marks, such as paragraph marks (¶), click the ¶ icon on the Home tab.

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  2. Stefan Blom 342.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-08T16:19:03+00:00

    The TOC field code in your screen shot is using the \t switch which defines style names (and their levels) for the TOC. Are you sure that paragraph styles called "Heading-Level 1," "Heading-Chapter" etc. have been applied to text in the document?

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  3. Charles Kenyon 167.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-08T15:39:37+00:00

    Do you have the same problem if you start Word in safe mode?

    Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC - Microsoft Office

    (note: this  is a diagnostic step, not a way to use Word)

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  4. Charles Kenyon 167.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-08T14:34:59+00:00

    If you press the shortcut Alt+F9, what do you see where the TOC is?

    You may need to add the Fn key to that combination.

    Once you have checked, toggle the display back with the same shortcut.

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