using Word and then put it back into Adobe Acrobat
Each step is pretty straightforward, and the whole process can be done within a matter of minutes. You'll find that adding the table of contents through this method is efficient and quick.
Converting the PDF into a Microsoft Word File
This is the most crucial step because it allows you to make edits. Microsoft Word also makes the table of contents based on your headings, so you can simply insert it. It will automatically put the section names and page numbers for you.
- Open your PDF file on your computer. Your PDF might be in Acrobat DC or Preview, depending on your computer and what software you used to make the PDF.
- At the top right, choose "Export PDF."
- Choose "Microsoft Word" when asked what format you want to export to. Choose "Word Document."
- Click "Export." This might take a few moments, depending on how much text you have.
- Save the new file with the ending DOCX.
Now that your PDF is in Word, you can make the table of contents using the steps below.
Creating a Table of Contents in Word
Once you have your PDF into Word, you can easily make the table of contents.
- Apply heading styles and subheadings that you want. You can do this by highlighting the heading and then choosing "Heading 1" or which whichever heading you want from the styles plane.
- Click the References tab and then choose "Table of Contents." Choose the style you want from the list that opens.
- Click "File" and then "Save As." Choose "Browse" and choose where you want to save the file. Click "PDF" in the Type drop-down box.
- Click the "Options" button and wait for the options box to appear. Click "Create Bookmarks Using" and then click "Headings." Choose "OK" and then "Save."
- Now choose "File" and then "Save As." Finally, decide where you want to save the document.
- Click "Save As Type" and then choose "PDF."
- Click "Save" one more time. This will put your file back into a PDF.
Using Existing Headings and Subheadings in Adobe Acrobat
If you are using Adobe Acrobat, you can use these steps below to make a table of contents. Unfortunately, Adobe Acrobat doesn't allow you to directly make a table of contents, but you can still use a Word document and convert it into a PDF.
- Copy and paste the major headings and subheadings from your current PDF in Adobe into Microsoft Word. You can also use another word processing program as long as they can save files into PDFs.
- Choose the formatting you want or add images if you're going to include them.
- Click "Save As" and then choose PDF from the drop-down menu. Then, make sure to click "Save" again.
- Open Adobe and open the ODF document you are working with. Click "Insert Page from Another File." Find the table of contents you just made and choose "Open."
- Now click "Location" from the drop-down box and choose "Before." Now Click "First" and then "Ok." It might take a few moments for the PDF to be added.
- Choose "Tools" and then "Content Editing." Now click "Add or Edit Link."
- Draw a rectangle over the first heading in the table of contents. A dialog box should open around it.
- Choose "Invisible Rectangle" and then "Go to Page View." Click "Next."
- On the left, you should see a list of the pages. Choose the one you want the link to go to. Click "Set Link." Repeat this step for each heading or link you need to make.
While you might think that adding a table of contents is hard since PDFs can't be edited, you can see that adding the information into a word document is very easy. You can then resave it as a PDF once you're done, and it will have the completed table of contents. Some users also like to put the table of contents back into Adobe Acrobat if they aren't done with the file and want to make more edits before the final save.
Either way, making the table of contents in a word document is an easy and efficient way to make your document easier to read and easier to navigate.