How to sort topics in a table of contents

An automatic Word table of contents cannot be independently sorted alphabetically while remaining automatic; it follows the sequence of the document’s headings and returns to that sequence whenever updated.^1^

Available options

1. Change the document order

If the chapters or sections themselves can be alphabetical:

1. Move the corresponding heading and its section to the required position in the document.
2. Right-click the table of contents.
3. Select Update Field → Update entire table.

Word rebuilds the TOC using the headings’ new sequence.^1^

2. Create a static alphabetical copy

Use this when the document must retain its current order but you need a separately sorted list:

1. Copy the TOC entries into a separate location as ordinary text rather than as the active TOC.
2. Select the copied list.
3. Go to Home → Sort.
4. Set Sort by to Paragraphs, set Type to Text, and select Ascending (A–Z).
5. Select OK.^2^

This copy is static: changes to headings or page numbers will not automatically flow into it. A Word macro can automate converting a TOC into a sorted table, but the resulting table has the same update limitation.^3^

Word for the web cannot alphabetically sort ordinary lists; open the document in desktop Word to use Home → Sort.^2^

3. Use an index for an automatically generated alphabetical topic list

If the goal is an alphabetical list of topics with page references, an index is more suitable than a TOC:

1. Select a topic in the document.
2. Go to References → Mark Entry.
3. Edit the main entry or add a subentry, then select Mark or Mark All.
4. Repeat for the required topics.
5. Place the cursor where the alphabetical list should appear.
6. Go to References → Insert Index and select OK.

Word collects the marked entries, sorts them alphabetically, and includes their page numbers. After editing the document, click the index and press F9, or select References → Update Index.^4^

References

1. [Web](https://support.microsoft.com/word/training/insert-a-table-of-contents)
2. Sort a list alphabetically in Word | Microsoft Support
3. Is it possible to arrange a table of contents in alpha order ? Thanks - Microsoft Q&A
4. Create and update an index | Microsoft Support