In this lesson
Create a report with an automatic contents page, two source records, a table reference and a neutral DOTX template.
Practice material
Start with the practice file. Open the worked answer after trying the exercise. CSV and text briefs are also available. All resources and import notes →
Example
The office move decision report
The decision report covers the executive summary, options, costs, risks and recommendations. It cites two public supplier pages and refers to a cost table. Its typed contents page is already out of date, and new reports inherit the previous client’s name. Build the contents from headings and make a template with placeholders.
How it works
The contents comes from heading styles. Update page numbers only keeps the old heading list; Update entire table also adds new sections. Cross-references point to captions or headings, so you do not need to type their numbers again.
Word formats the source details you enter; it cannot check whether the source supports a claim. Record the real author, title, date and URL. For a template, keep reusable styles and replace client details with placeholders.
Steps
Create Executive summary, Options, Costs, Risks and Recommendations as Heading 1 sections. Under Options add Heading 2 subsections Stay, Move and Hybrid. Write a paragraph under each heading.
Insert References › Table of Contents › Automatic Table after the cover or before the summary. Compare its entries with the Navigation pane.
Add a cost table and caption. In Recommendations, insert References › Cross-reference to that caption. Add an automatic page number in the footer.
Choose the citation style your audience requires. Use Insert Citation › Add New Source for two public sources you have read, entering their actual details. Put each citation next to the fact it supports.
Insert References › Bibliography at the end. Check both titles and source details against the original pages, including their URLs. Read each cited passage again to check the claim.
Add Heading 1 “Implementation” between Risks and Recommendations. Choose Update entire table, then update the other fields. The contents should now have six main sections.
Save the report as DOCX. Make a template copy, replace client-specific text with placeholders and save it as DOTX. Start a new report from it and look for any old client details.
Export a PDF and check its contents, cross-references and bibliography. Follow the links that were exported and compare the displayed numbers with their targets.
Try it yourself
- Build the five-section report, then add a sixth section. Include two public sources and a reference to a captioned cost table. Make a neutral DOTX template and create a new report from it.
Show expected result
- The contents lists all six sections with current page numbers. The cost-table reference points to the correct caption.
- The bibliography contains the two sources you entered. The new report from the template contains placeholders instead of the previous client’s details.
If something goes wrong
- Implementation is missing from the contents.
- Apply Heading 1 to it and choose Update entire table. Update page numbers only will not add the heading.
- A cross-reference says its source cannot be found.
- Check whether its caption or bookmark was deleted. Restore the target or insert a new cross-reference to an existing target; typing a number does not reconnect it.
Quick check
Try these questions after the exercise. Check the result in your app before marking the lesson complete.
Choose an answer for all 3 questions to check your understanding.
Optional: try it with Copilot
If you have Copilot, try this after the exercise. Keep the original file and compare its suggestions with your own result.
Review this report’s headings and list claims that still need evidence. Name the claim and the kind of source needed. Do not invent citations, publication dates or URLs.
More from Microsoft
These Microsoft guides cover the tools used in this lesson.
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