How to Format a Table of Contents in APA

APA style, which originated in 1929, is a set of editorial guidelines that allows for the uniform presentation of scientific writing within the fields of psychology, anthropology and sociology. The guidelines, which are described in the Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association, allow the reader to quickly find and comprehend the key elements and findings of a particular research document. The Table of Contents in an APA-styled document follows the same structure as outlined in the Publication Manual.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Word processing software

Instructions

1. Position the page title. On the top line in the center of the page, type the words "Table of Contents" in capital letters. The page title should not be underlined in APA.

2. Enter the "Page" column header. Skipping one space from the page title, type the column header "Page" flush with the right margin.

3. List the preliminary pages. If your paper includes preliminary pages like an abstract, a list of tables or an acknowledgment, these pages are listed first. Enter the title of the preliminary page in all capital letters at the beginning of the left margin. List it's page number in Roman numerals on the same line, but flush with the right margin. Connect the preliminary page title with it's page number with leader dots. Do not list the "Table of Contents" page as a preliminary page.

4. Determine how many subheadings you would like to include. Listing subheadings in the Table of Contents is not a requirement, but if you choose to do so, refrain from listing more than three levels of subheadings. Also, if you include a subheading level in one chapter, include that subheading level for each chapter in which it is present.

5. Enter the "Chapter" column header. Under the preliminary page listings, type the "Chapter" column header in all capital letters aligned with the left margin.

6. Enter the chapter numbers and chapter titles. Under the "Chapter" column header, list the chapter number, notated in Arabic, flush with the left margin. Tab over about 1/4 inch and enter the chapter title in all capital letters. Enter the chapter page number flush with the right margin and connect the chapter title and page number with leader dots.

7. Enter the subheadings. The first level of subheading should be indented from the left margin by 1/2 inch. Indent each subsequent subheading by an additional 1/2 inch. Enter the subheading page number under the page column on the right margin. Connect the subheading title to its page number with leader dots.

8. List the references, bibliography and appendixes. Under all the chapter listings, list any reference or appendix sections included in your paper. These titles should be flush with the left margin and typed in all capital letters. Enter the page numbers of these sections in the "Page" column on the right and connect the section title with it's corresponding page number with leader dots.

Tips & Warnings

• If chapter titles or subheading titles require more than one line, split the title in to two or more single spaced lines. Do not indent on any subsequent line of the same title.

• APA guidelines require that the top and bottom margins be between 1 and 1 1/2 inches. Left and right margins are 1 1/2 inches.

• Like the document itself, the Table of Contents in APA is double-spaced, except in the incident of a multiple-lined title.

References

• Temple University: Dissertation Handbook- Front Matter
• American Psychological Association: Why Is APA Style Needed?
• California Institute of Intregal Studies: Requirements For Masters Thesis in APA Format