To include a table of contents in an email created in Word, you must adapt your strategy since most email platforms lack the advanced formatting capabilities of Word
Although Word supports auto-generated tables of contents using Heading 1, 2, ketik etc., email systems interpret messages with minimal formatting, making automated navigation impossible
Therefore, the goal is not to create a live, clickable table of contents that updates automatically, but rather to design a professional, static table of contents that looks organized and is easy for the recipient to navigate
First, arrange your content in Word using a logical, tiered structure of headings
Apply Word’s standard heading styles: Heading 1 for primary sections, Heading 2 for subsections, and continue the hierarchy as needed
This approach creates a uniform structure that simplifies manual extraction of section titles
Although the email won’t preserve hyperlinks to these headings, the hierarchy you establish in Word provides a clear roadmap for constructing your static index
After organizing your content, construct the table of contents by typing each heading alongside a short summary or, if useful, a page number
Since you cannot hyperlink in most email clients, avoid using the AutoTable feature in Word
Manually copy each heading from your Word document and paste it manually at the top of your email draft
Format them as a bulleted or numbered list for improved readability
Indent subheadings slightly deeper than top-level sections to visually communicate structure and hierarchy
Use simple, labeled placeholders such as “Step 1: Setup” or “Topic C: Pricing Details” to help users orient themselves
You can also include a brief note at the top of the table of contents, such as “Use this guide to quickly jump to the sections you care about most.”
This introductory remark helps users understand the purpose of the list and encourages efficient navigation
Once your table is complete, select all content in Word, then paste it into your email client using the “Paste as Plain Text” or “Keep Text Only” function
This removes proprietary styles that could distort layout or cause display errors in email clients
Next, fine-tune line spacing, font size, and text alignment directly in your email client to reflect your company’s visual identity
Opt for simple, modern sans serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Open Sans to ensure legibility across screens
Test your email template by sending it to yourself and viewing it on multiple devices—desktop, tablet, and smartphone
Confirm that text doesn’t overlap, lines don’t break oddly, and spacing stays proportional across all display sizes
Some advanced email systems permit HTML anchors—such as
