Automatically Generate a Table of Figures with Word’s Caption Tool > 자유게시판

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The Insert Caption function in Word does far more than add static labels—it integrates deeply with document structure.

When used correctly, it enables automatic population of the table of contents, saving time and reducing errors in lengthy documents such as academic papers, technical reports, or professional publications.

Text you type by hand loses its connection to document structure, but captions inserted via the official dialog maintain their intelligence, ensuring stability even after major reorganization.

To begin, select the image, table, or chart you wish to caption.

Go to the References section in the ribbon toolbar and select the Insert Caption option.

A dialog box appears where you can choose the label type—such as Figure, Table, or Equation—or create a custom label.

Once selected, Word automatically assigns the next sequential number based on the label type, and you can add descriptive text after the number.

Never type labels like "Figure 1" by hand—only those generated via Insert Caption are indexed by Word’s TOC engine.

Once all captions are in place, position your cursor at the desired location and select References > Insert Table of Figures to compile the list.

The options allow you to filter which caption types appear—select only Figure, only Table, or both.

The software searches the full document for all applicable captions and assembles them into an ordered list complete with accurate page references.

The generated table dynamically responds to edits: new captions appear, removed ones vanish, and page numbers adjust without user intervention.

One of the greatest advantages of this method is that when you restructure your document—adding a new table before an existing one, for example—the numbering adjusts automatically, and the table of contents updates with a single right-click and "Update Field".

This eliminates the need to manually renumber items or rewrite page references, which is especially valuable in documents that undergo multiple revisions.

You can fine-tune the appearance of all captions by editing the built-in Caption style to suit your document’s design.

Navigate to the Home ribbon, locate the Caption style within the Styles panel, and adjust the font, size, line spacing, ketik and alignment.

This ensures consistency across all captions and makes your document look professionally typeset.

Word supports dynamic internal references to captions, enabling seamless in-text linking.

Insert phrases like "As shown in Figure 5" using the Cross-reference tool—these will update automatically if the figure’s number changes later.

This interconnectivity ensures that citations, references, and pointers stay correct even after extensive editing, eliminating the need for manual verification.

When used with precision, the Insert Caption feature turns Microsoft Word into a powerful technical documentation platform.

It ensures accuracy, saves hours of manual labor, and enhances the professionalism of your work.

No matter your project—dissertation, technical guide, or scientific paper—automating your TOC with captions is an essential skill for any serious writer