I’ve been working on a big document in Google Docs and I’m wondering if there’s a way to make a list of all my tables automatically. You know, like how you can have a table of contents for headings?
I want to be able to add labels to my tables and then have Google Docs create a list that shows all the table names and their page numbers. Something that looks organized and professional.
Has anyone figured out how to do this? Or is it not possible in Google Docs? I’d really appreciate any tips or workarounds you might have!
hey sofiag, i’ve been using docs for years and unfortunately there’s no built-in feature for auto-generating table lists one workaround is to manually create a list and update it as you go. it’s not ideal but it gets the job done. maybe try a third-party add-on? good luck!
I’ve encountered this issue before in my professional work. Unfortunately, Google Docs doesn’t offer a native solution for automatically listing tables. However, I’ve found a workaround that might help. Create a separate section at the beginning of your document for your table list. Each time you add a table, immediately update this list with the table name and page number. It’s not automatic, but it maintains organization and professionalism. For larger documents, consider using Google Sheets instead, as it offers more advanced table management features. Alternatively, explore add-ons in the Google Workspace Marketplace for potential solutions.
I’ve grappled with this issue in my work too. While Google Docs lacks an automatic table list feature, I’ve developed a system that works well for me. I use a specific heading style (let’s say Heading 4) exclusively for table captions. Then, I create a separate table of contents just for these headings. It’s not perfect, but it gives a clickable list of all tables.
Another trick is to use bookmarks. Add a bookmark to each table, then create a list of hyperlinks to these bookmarks at the start of your document. It’s a bit time-consuming to set up, but once done, it’s easy to navigate.
For really large documents, I sometimes export to Word, create the table list there, then convert back to Google Docs. It’s a roundabout method, but it can save time for massive projects.
one workaround is to manually create a list and update it as you go. it’s not ideal but it gets the job done. maybe try a third-party add-on? good luck!