How do you create a table of contents slide in Google Slides?
To create a table of contents slide manually, first identify the section headings and the slide numbers where they begin; then add this information to the presentation as a slide. This guide describes a manual editing method. The Google resources provided do not confirm that Slides has an automatically generated table of contents feature that updates itself as the presentation changes. For that reason, check and update the headings and numbers later.
Google’s Slides training and help page lists introductory resources for creating and editing presentations. You can also consult the guide to adding, deleting, and editing slides for information about slide options.
Choose a method
Listing headings and numbers as plain text is a simple way to help people find sections. If you want viewers to click a heading to go to the relevant section, also check the link options in your presentation. Google’s guide to working with links explains how to add links in Docs, Sheets, and Slides; however, the cited instructions do not confirm that you can select a specific slide in the same presentation as a link destination. If you cannot find this option in your menu or test the destination, do not imply that a link is available; use a numbered list instead.
Prepare the table of contents slide
- Find the section openings. Review the presentation from beginning to end and note the slide number and heading where each main section begins. List the main sections; you do not have to include every subsection.
- Shorten the headings. Keep headings brief, distinctive, and consistent with the section content. This is a practical readability recommendation; decide how many headings to include based on the length of the list.
- Place the content on a slide. Add a new slide in a suitable place in the presentation. Use “Table of contents” or “Sections” as the heading, then list the section names and numbers in a consistent layout. If the list does not fit, consider grouping the content or splitting it across multiple slides rather than making the text too small to read.
- Add links only if you can verify them. Check the option for adding links in Slides. If the interface lets you select a destination slide in the same presentation, link to the correct section and test it in presentation mode. If the menu options differ, do not assume steps you cannot verify on screen; leave the headings and numbers as text.
- Check the final version. Adding, deleting, or moving slides may affect section numbers. When the presentation order changes, review the table of contents and any links you added.
Hypothetical example
The following example is hypothetical: imagine a 12-slide school project presentation where the main sections begin on slides 2, 4, 7, and 10. You could add these lines to the table of contents slide:
- Purpose and scope — 2
- Method — 4
- Findings — 7
- Conclusion and next steps — 10
If you are considering adding a link for “Findings,” first verify that the interface you are using lets you link to slide 7; then click it in presentation mode and check that it goes to the correct destination. For example, if a new slide is added before slide 5, review the numbers for the later sections. If “Conclusion” now begins on slide 11, correct the number; if you used a link, test its destination again.
Verify after making edits
When checking the numbers, compare the start of each section with its actual position in the presentation; do not rely only on the order of the headings. If you added links, click them in presentation mode to verify their destinations. If you cannot confirm that a destination is correct, update the numbered text rather than relying on the link. If the list feels crowded, group similar subsections under main headings or split the table of contents across multiple slides. If multiple people are editing, do the final check against the current presentation.
Final checklist
- The main section headings match the content in the presentation.
- The slide number listed for each section has been checked against the current order.
- Any links used have been tested by clicking them in presentation mode.
- The effects of slides added, deleted, or moved later have been checked.
- Clear, numbered text is used in place of links that cannot be verified.
Frequently asked questions
Does the table of contents update automatically?
This guide does not rely on automatic updates; the resources provided do not confirm this behavior. When the order of the presentation changes, check and update the headings and numbers manually.
Do table of contents headings have to include links?
No. Listing numbered headings as plain text is also a usable method. If you want to add links, verify that the interface you are using lets you select a destination slide in the same presentation, and test the destination in presentation mode.
For another task related to presentation layout, see the guide to adjusting table row height in Google Slides; to do the same task in another presentation tool, see creating a table of contents slide in PowerPoint.
← Back to blog
