Formatting Issues

How to Fix Word Table of Contents Displaying Right to Left

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to correct the alignment of their table of contents and figure lists, which are displaying backwards.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a university thesis or complex document with automated tables of contents and lists of figures.
Observed behavior: The table of contents, list of figures, and list of tables are displaying from right to left, causing the page numbers to appear on the left side of the page instead of the right.

Before you start

Ensure your document does not contain mixed language settings (such as Arabic or Hebrew alongside English) that might automatically trigger Right-to-Left formatting for certain styles.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust the Text Direction and Paragraph Settings

Manually changing the text direction of the affected tables from Right-to-Left (RTL) to Left-to-Right (LTR) will restore the proper layout.

In many cases, the text direction for the specific Table of Contents (TOC) styles gets accidentally switched. Fixing the text direction directly on the paragraph or through the Styles pane resolves the reversed page number issue.

Select the Table of Contents

Highlight the entire affected table of contents, list of figures, or list of tables in your Word document.

Open Paragraph Settings

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the top ribbon and locate the 'Paragraph' group.

Change Text Direction

Click on the 'Left-to-Right Text Direction' button. If this button is not visible, you may need to add it to your Quick Access Toolbar or enable appropriate language packs.

Update the Field

Right-click the Table of Contents and select 'Update Field', then choose 'Update entire table' to ensure the formatting applies correctly.

Modify TOC Styles: For a permanent fix across the whole document, modify the underlying 'TOC 1', 'TOC 2', and 'Table of Figures' styles in the Styles pane to ensure their default paragraph direction is set to Left-to-Right.

Solution 2

Create a Sanitized Copy for Troubleshooting

If adjusting the text direction does not work, preparing a sanitized version of the document allows experts to inspect underlying formatting bugs safely.

Perfect Document Formatting

Easily Manage Table of Contents Alignment in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface to handle complex thesis formatting, ensuring your Table of Contents and Figure Lists always align correctly from left to right without unexpected glitches.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing thesis document.
2. Navigate to References: Go to the 'Reference' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Table of Contents'.
3. Adjust Alignment: Select your preferred left-to-right layout. If adjusting an existing TOC, highlight it, go to the 'Home' tab, and click the 'Left-to-Right' text direction icon.

Flawless compatibility with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Intuitive Table of Contents generator with precise alignment controlLightweight and fast, ideal for managing large thesis documentsClear paragraph direction settings to prevent layout inversions

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Word table of contents suddenly switch to right-to-left?

This typically occurs if the text direction settings for the TOC styles were accidentally modified, or if an RTL language pack (such as Arabic or Hebrew) was activated, influencing the default paragraph styles.

Will updating the Table of Contents overwrite my manual formatting?

Yes, if you manually change the alignment of the text without updating the underlying TOC styles, clicking 'Update entire table' will revert your changes. It is best to modify the actual TOC styles (TOC 1, TOC 2, etc.) in the Styles pane.

How do I fix the list of figures displaying page numbers on the left?

Select the entire List of Figures, navigate to the Home tab, and click the Left-to-Right text direction button to restore normal page number placement. You can also modify the 'Table of Figures' style directly.

How do I show the text direction buttons if they are missing in Word?

Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar. Search for 'Left-to-Right Text Direction' under 'All Commands' and add it to your ribbon. Alternatively, ensure an RTL language is added in your Office Language Preferences to make these buttons appear.

Document & File Issues