In Microsoft Word, it is possible to automatically create a table of contents. But, this facility is not available in Microsoft PowerPoint. You have no option to automatically create a table of contents in PowerPoint. Therefore, you must use a workaround for inserting a table of contents in PowerPoint.
Creating a table of contents in PowerPoint works best under the following prerequisites:
- You have many slides in the presentation
- Each slide has its own title, subtitle, and contents.
2 ways to create a table of Content in Powerpoint
- Manually insert a table of contents
- Use Outline view to create a table of contents
We will show you both methods in simple, step-wise instructions.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Manually insert a table of contents.
Step #1: Create a new slide to hold the table of contents
Open the PowerPoint slide where you want to insert the table of contents.
Notes: the ideal place for the table of contents is after the opening title slide. But, you may place it anywhere in the presentation.
Right-click on the slide below which you want the table of contents to appear.
A drop-down menu appears.
Click on New Slide.
A new blank slide appears.
Use this slide for your table of contents.
Step #2: Prepare the table of contents
Click on the slide that you want to be at the top of the table of contents.
Select the title of the slide.
Copy the title of the slide using Ctrl+C on your keyboard.
Click on the table of contents slide.
Paste the title you copied into the slide using Ctrl+V on your keyboard.
Adjust the font to a suitable size.
Step #3: Fill up the table of contents.
Repeat Step #2 for all other slides that you want to show in the table of contents.
Annotate the table of contents to include slide numbers.
Method #2: Use Outline view to create a table of contents
Step #1: Create a new slide to hold the table of contents
Open the PowerPoint slide where you want to insert the table of contents.
Notes: the ideal place for the table of contents is after the opening title slide. But, you may place it anywhere in the presentation.
Right-click on the slide below which you want the table of contents to appear.
A drop-down menu appears.
Click on New Slide.
A new blank slide appears.
Use this slide for your table of contents.
Step #2: Switch to Outline View
Click on the View tab on the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Presentation Views, click on the Outline View icon.
The thumbnail display pane on the left changes to show the outline view of each slide.
Step #3: Select the titles you want to show.
Click on an empty space in the thumbnail display pane.
Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard.
Use the mouse to select the titles you want to show on the table of contents.
Press Ctrl+C to copy the selected titles.
Step #4: Prepare the table of contents
Click on the table of contents slide.
Press Ctrl+V to paste the titles.
Annotate the table of contents to include slide numbers.
Conclusion
We have shown you two methods on creating a table of contents in your PowerPoint presentation. Use the one most suitable to your requirements.