Table of Contents
Learn how to add and format different types of content blocks in Notion, including text, headings, and lists.
This guide shows you how to add a Table of Contents block to your Notion pages and use it to navigate between different sections. The Table of Contents automatically generates clickable links to all headings on your page, making it easy to jump to specific sections.
When to Use Table of Contents
Table of Contents blocks are particularly useful for:
- Long pages with multiple sections and subsections
- Documentation pages that need quick navigation
- Meeting notes with multiple agenda items
- Project plans with different phases or milestones
Prerequisites
Before adding a Table of Contents, ensure your page has heading blocks (Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3). The Table of Contents will only display sections that use proper heading formatting, not regular text that appears large or bold.
Adding a Table of Contents Block
Navigate to the Notion page where you want to add the Table of Contents. Make sure this page already contains heading blocks that you want to include in the navigation.
Position your cursor where you want the Table of Contents to appear, then type /toc to open the block menu. This will show a dropdown with the Table of Contents option.
You can also use the forward slash / command followed by typing "table" to quickly find the Table of Contents block.
From the dropdown menu that appears, click on 'Table of contents'. Notion will automatically scan your page and generate a list of all headings with clickable navigation links.
Once the Table of Contents is created, you can click on any heading in the list to automatically scroll to that section on your page. This provides instant navigation without manually scrolling.
How Table of Contents Works
The Table of Contents block automatically detects and organizes headings on your page:
- Heading 1 blocks appear as main section links
- Heading 2 blocks appear as indented subsection links
- Heading 3 blocks appear as further indented sub-subsection links
The table automatically updates when you add, remove, or modify headings on your page.
Best Practices
- Position strategically: Place the Table of Contents near the top of your page, after any introduction but before the main content
- Use consistent heading hierarchy: Follow proper heading structure (H1 for main sections, H2 for subsections, H3 for sub-subsections)
- Write descriptive headings: Make sure your heading text clearly describes the content that follows
- Consider page length: Table of Contents is most valuable on longer pages with 4+ sections
Troubleshooting
This happens when your page doesn't contain any proper heading blocks. Make sure you're using Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3 blocks from the / command menu, not just large or bold text.
This can happen if you have duplicate heading text. Try making your headings unique, or refresh the page to reset the table of contents anchor links.
The table should update automatically, but sometimes requires a page refresh. If problems persist, try removing and re-adding the Table of Contents block.
Advanced Tips
- Multiple Tables of Contents: You can add multiple Table of Contents blocks to different sections of very long pages
- Template integration: Include Table of Contents in page templates for consistent document structure
- Mobile optimization: Table of Contents is especially useful on mobile devices where scrolling through long pages is more cumbersome
The Table of Contents block works seamlessly with page sharing and collaboration features, making it easier for team members to navigate shared documents.
Conclusion
The Table of Contents block transforms long Notion pages into easily navigable documents. By automatically generating clickable links to your headings, it improves both the user experience and the professional appearance of your content. Try adding a Table of Contents to your next lengthy document to see how it enhances navigation and readability.