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How to Create a Table of Contents for a SharePoint Site
Question details
The user needs a way to create a comprehensive table of contents that lists all document libraries on a SharePoint site.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing and navigating multiple document libraries effectively on a modern SharePoint home page.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint lacks a built-in standard web part designed to automatically generate a complete, site-wide table of contents.
Ensure you have Edit permissions for the SharePoint site home page so you can add and configure new web parts.
Use the Highlighted Content Web Part as a Workaround
Since there is no native table of contents web part, configuring the Highlighted Content web part is the most effective way to dynamically display relevant document links.
The Highlighted Content web part allows you to dynamically roll up content from your site. By adjusting its filters and layout, you can simulate a table of contents that automatically updates as new documents are modified or added.
Navigate to your SharePoint home page and click the 'Edit' button located at the top right corner of the screen.
Hover over the section where you want to place the table of contents, click the '+' icon, search for 'Highlighted Content', and select it to add it to the page.
Click the pencil icon next to the web part to open the property pane. Set the 'Source' to 'A document library on this site' or 'All sites' depending on the scope of your libraries.
Use the 'Filter' dropdown to narrow down what is displayed (e.g., by document type or specific keywords). Set the 'Sort by' option to organize the files logically for your users.
Select a compact layout like 'List' to make it look like a standard table of contents. Finally, click 'Republish' or 'Publish' at the top right to save and display your changes.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While organizing online SharePoint sites requires configuring specific web parts, managing your local files and documents is effortless with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for all your offline and cloud word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a native Table of Contents web part in modern SharePoint?
No, modern SharePoint does not include a dedicated Table of Contents web part. Users typically rely on configuring the Highlighted Content, Quick Links, or Text web parts as practical workarounds.
Can I use the Quick Links web part to create a table of contents?
Yes, you can manually add links to specific document libraries, folders, or important files using the Quick Links web part. This offers extensive visual customization but requires manual updates whenever new libraries are added.
How do I show only specific documents in the Highlighted Content web part?
In the web part's property pane, use the 'Filter' option to restrict displayed items. You can filter by specific document types, words in the title, recently added files, or custom managed properties.
Why can't I edit the SharePoint home page to add the web part?
You must have at least 'Edit' or 'Design' permission levels on the SharePoint site to modify pages and add web parts. Contact your SharePoint site administrator or owner if you do not see the Edit button.
