Formatting Issues

Fix Extra Space Between Chapter Numbers and Titles in Word TOC

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

When adding a two-digit chapter number in a Word document, an unusually large extra space appears between the chapter number and the chapter title in the Table of Contents.

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating or updating a Table of Contents containing two-digit chapter numbers.
Observed behavior: Two-digit chapter numbers take up more horizontal space and trigger the next default tab stop, creating a large, unwanted gap between the number and the title.

Before you start

Ensure that your chapter headings in the document body are using the correct, consistent heading styles (e.g., Heading 1) before adjusting the Table of Contents formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify Tab Stops in the TOC Style

Adjust the tab settings within the specific TOC style so it leaves enough room for wider two-digit chapter numbers without jumping to the next stop.

The spacing issue is typically caused by predefined tab stops in the TOC style that are too narrow for two-digit numbers. Modifying the base style ensures the fix applies uniformly across the entire table.

Open the Table of Contents Settings

Navigate to the 'References' tab (or 'Insert' > 'Index and Tables' in older versions) and select 'Custom Table of Contents'.

Access the Style Modifier

In the Table of Contents dialog box, click on the 'Modify' button. Select the specific TOC level causing the issue (such as 'TOC 1') and click 'Modify' again.

Adjust Tab Settings

Click 'Format' at the bottom left corner and choose 'Tabs'. Adjust or remove the default tab stop position to accommodate two-digit chapter numbers.

Apply and Update

Click 'OK' through all the dialog boxes to apply the changes, and confirm when prompted to replace or update the Table of Contents.

Solution 2

Adjust Heading Paragraph Indentation

Modify the paragraph indentation and tab settings for the heading styles in the document body to prevent the jump to the next tab stop.

Easy Document Formatting

Easily Manage Table of Contents Spacing in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for customizing heading styles and Table of Contents formatting, making it easy to fix spacing issues caused by two-digit chapter numbers.

1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and open your document containing the Table of Contents.
2. Access TOC Settings: Navigate to the 'References' tab on the top ribbon, click 'Table of Contents', and select 'Insert Table of Contents'.
3. Modify TOC Styles: Click the 'Options' or 'Modify' button in the dialog box to customize your specific TOC heading styles.
4. Adjust Formatting: Adjust the tab stops through the Format menu to comfortably fit two-digit chapter numbers, then click 'OK' to apply.

Precise control over tab stops and paragraph indentationFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsAutomatic Table of Contents generation and updatingFree and lightweight alternative for professional document editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the extra space only appear starting at chapter 10?

Two-digit numbers take up more horizontal space than one-digit numbers. This extra width pushes the text past the first predefined tab stop, causing it to jump to the next available tab stop, which creates a large visual gap.

Will updating my Table of Contents overwrite these formatting changes?

If you modify the underlying TOC style (e.g., TOC 1), updating the Table of Contents will retain your formatting. However, if you manually delete tabs or add spaces directly in the TOC text without modifying the style, those changes will be lost upon updating.

How do I remove the dots between the chapter title and page number?

Open the Table of Contents dialog box (References > Custom Table of Contents). Look for the 'Tab leader' dropdown menu and change it from dots to '(none)', then click OK to update your TOC.

Document & File Issues