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2013 Table of contents compatibility with older versions of Microsoft Word

I formatted my word document in preparation for publishing as a manuscript, so the pages are for 5.5 x 8.5 and the margins are adjusted.

I created the document on Microsoft 2014. But when I loaded it on a different computer to make adjustments, I noticed the table of contents was off. Since I only have the new version of Microsoft office on one of my computers, and I'll need to work on this on various computers, including my workplace. I need a quick fix to make the document compatible, hopefully without having to cut/copy the text and redo all of the formatting.

Here are screen shots of what the pages look like on the 2013 version and the older version. Does anyone know how to correct this glitch? Yes, I tried saving it as a 2003 word doc, same problem occurs.

The issue is likely to be the styles updating from another template rather than a compatibility issue between versions.

To turn off the setting to automatically update styles on open you need to first show the Developer Tab by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Tick the checkbox next to the Developer in the right hand list.

Once you have shown the Developer Tab, go to that tab and Click on the second last button (Document Template) and check the setting for 'Automatically update document styles'. This should be turned OFF to avoid the styles being re-imported when you open the document.

Andrew Lockton
Melbourne Australia

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Try the following: Add a right-aligned tab stop for the page number in the TOC. Since the TOC styles are set to update automatically by default, this should fix things directly.

As an alternative, you can modify the TOC style(s) explicitly: Click in a TOC entry and press Ctrl+Shift+S. Click the Modify button. Click the Format drop down, and then click Tab. Add the tab stop and then click OK twice. 

See also http://wordfaqs.mvps.org/TOCTips.htm#IndentsTabs. 

Stefan Blom
MS 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
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I went through these motions. This did not correct the problem. But I'm glad I know how the developer tab works! Thanks.

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In that case, can you post your document so we can have a look at it to work out where the problem is coming from?
Andrew Lockton
Melbourne Australia

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Last updated October 1, 2021 Views 91 Applies to: