Table of Contents Page Examples: How to Organise Your Documents.

Most people are familiar with a table of contents as they are often seen in books, reports or academic essays. They’re a practical way of listing out sections and page numbers, so readers can quickly find what they’re looking for.

This guide will cover what a table of contents is, explore table of contents examples, and show you how to build your own using Adobe Express UK.

What is a table of contents?

A table of contents (ToC) is a structured list of sections or chapters that are found within a document, with the corresponding page numbers. The purpose of a content page is to provide a roadmap for readers, so they can understand how the content is organised.

Table of contents are commonly used in academic writing, reports, magazines, books, and brochures. In formal or educational settings like dissertations, including a contents page is often a mandatory part of creating a document.

The concept dates back to ancient manuscripts and early printed books where scribes needed to indicate the structure of their work. The table of contents then continued to evolve with publishing and became standard in modern non-fiction and scholarly work.

Located at the beginning of a document, the table of contents can be tailored to suit the type of publication. For example, a novel may have chapter titles, while a business report might list sections and subheadings. The most common elements featured in a contents pages are chapter or section names, page numbers, and occasionally short summaries or subsections.

8 contents page examples.

Here are 8 different table of contents examples, each tailored to the style, structure, and purpose of a specific type of document that they would appear in.

Report contents page example.

Reports are common in business and are often created annually or in the form of audit reports. Clear headings and a table of contents help stakeholders access key sections quickly.

A report contents page example:

1. Executive Summary – 1
2. Objectives – 3
3. Methodology – 5
4. Findings – 8
5. Recommendations – 12
6. Appendix – 15

Dissertation table of contents example.

A table of contents is required in most university submissions, including dissertations. They must follow academic formatting like Harvard or APA.

A dissertation contents page example:

1. Introduction – 1
2. Literature Review – 5
3. Research Methods – 12
4. Results – 20
5. Discussion – 30
6. References – 40

Table of contents example for fictional books.

A table of contents is optional for novels, but it can be useful if the chapters are titled or contribute to a narrative arc. Many readers appreciate a table of contents to understand how many chapters a book contains.

A table of contents example for fictional books:

1. Chapter One: The Letter – 1
2. Chapter Two: Shadows – 17
3. Chapter Three: The Storm – 33

Table of contents example for non-fictional books.

Non-fiction books often include sections and subheadings so a table of contents works best when the content is instructional or topic-led.

A table of contents example for non-fiction books:

1. Introduction – 1
2. The History of Tech – 7
3. Trends to Watch – 25
4. How to Get Started – 50
5. Resources – 77

Magazine contents page example.

Contents pages in magazines are usually visual and include page numbers, teaser images, or typography to guide readers through the content.

Magazine contents page example:

1. Features – 5
2. Interview: Artist Spotlight – 10
3. How to Style Spring Looks – 15
4. Reader Reviews – 22
5. Events Calendar – 28

Funeral program contents page example.

For funeral programmes the table of contents, or order of service, is usually structured in a gentle, respectful tone. It should be short, clear and chronological.

Funeral programme table of contents example:

1. Welcome Message – 1
2. Eulogy – 3
3. Readings – 5
4. Hymns – 7
5. Final Words – 9

Mixtape contents page example.

A niche but creative version of contents pages seen in zines or custom printed liner notes are mixtapes contents. They show the running order of a tape or playlist.

Mixtape contents table example:

Side A:

1. Intro – 00:35
2. Song 1 – 03:23
3. Song 2 – 02:09
4. Song 3 – 01:22
5. Song 4 – 02:35

Side B:

1. Song 5 – 03:10
2. Song 6 – 02:56
3. Song 7 – 01:47
4. Song 8 – 02:34
5. Outro – 00:47

Recipe book contents page example.

Recipe book contents are often ordered by meal or cuisine type. They might include iconography or colour-coded sections to help readers find the types of recipes they’re looking for faster.

Cookbook content page example:

1. Breakfast – 1
2. Lunch – 15
3. Dinner – 33
4. Desserts – 51
5. Extras & Tips – 70

Editable table of contents page examples.

How can Adobe Express help you design a table of contents?

Adobe Express lets you design your own contents page from scratch or with templates. It’s the perfect tool for reports, zines, books, or memorial programs.

1. Add a table of contents to your book or booklet.

Design pages that mirror your overall layout of your book or booklet, and add page numbers and section headers with consistent styling.

2. Craft your own cover page.

Set the tone for your contents and document style by customising your cover page. You can select different fonts, colours, and branding to suit your document.

3. Build out your magazine contents.

If you’re creating a table of contents for a magazine, choose templates that let you integrate visuals, images, and stories. This is great for showcasing editorial content.

Use Adobe Express’s template generator to build your contents page.

The AI Template Generator on Adobe Express could help you build a contents page in seconds. Just input your sections including chapters, articles, and steps and the tool will format them into a professional layout for you.

You can edit the fonts, colours, icons, and design to match your brand or style. It’s perfect for microbusiness owners who need to create guides, creatives making zines, or students formatting projects like dissertations. Then download, print, or publish your document online with no design skills required.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

How do I format a simple table of contents?

Use clear headings, aligned page numbers, and a logical order. Keep formatting consistent and use the same font and spacing throughout.

What makes a good table of contents?

Clarity, accuracy and structure are the keys to a good ToC. This should help readers navigate easily and understand how the content is organised from the outset.

What should not be included in a table of contents?

Avoid listing minor headings, image captions, or personal notes. Just stick to core sections and main headings that help readers navigate the document easily.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.