How to Create a Table of Authorities in Microsoft Word 2000

Microsoft Word 2000 provides word processing capabilities.

A table of authorities provides a method for marking citations within a legal document. Microsoft Word 2000 makes processing documents an easy task by automating the reference building process. To create a table of authorities in Microsoft Word 2000, you must first mark the citations you would like to include. Once your citations are marked, you can automate the creation of the table by selecting formatting options and categories for your table and citations.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word 2000
• Document with citations

Instructions

1. Create your legal document. Type your document into Microsoft Word 2000. Include the citations--legal statutes, treatises, rulings, etc.-- you would like to use in your table. Mark each citation or wait until you complete the document to mark your citations.

2. Mark each citation. Highlight the citation and click "Insert" on the menu bar. Click "Index and Tables" and then click the "Table of Authorities" tab. Click "Mark Citation." The "Mark Citation" dialogue box will open. Click "Next Citation" and Word will search for citation indicators. Once Word locates another citation, click on your document and highlight the full citation.

   Double-click the citation and the "Mark Citation" dialogue box will reappear. Select a citation category and click "Mark" or "Mark All" to mark each occurrence. Repeat these steps until you have marked every citation in your document. Click "Close" to close the "Mark Citation" dialogue box when finished.

3. Create the table of authorities. Select a place in your document to insert the table of authorities. Place your cursor at the insertion point and click "Insert" on the menu bar then click "Index and Tables." Click the "Table of Authorities" tab choose a format. Clear the "Keep original formatting" check box to maintain the format you chose for the table. Choose any additional options--tab leader, use passim and category--and click the "OK" button. Word generates your table of authorities.

References

• Georgetown Law: Creating a Table of Authorities Using Your Marked Citations
• AddBalance: Complex Documents in Microsoft Word

Resources

• Microsoft: Using documents effectively in court