Formatting Issues

How to Prevent Table of Figures Text from Overlapping Page Numbers in Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent long title text in a Table of Figures from bleeding into or overlapping the page numbers on the right side.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a long document where the Table of Figures contains lengthy titles that do not wrap properly.
Observed behavior: Title text extends into the page-number area. Attempting to fix it by changing tab stops disrupts the alignment of the page numbers entirely.

Before you start

Ensure your document's Table of Figures is already generated and you have access to the Styles pane to modify the underlying formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the Table of Figures Style Indentation

Adjusting the right indent of the Table of Figures style forces the text to wrap before reaching the page numbers, while keeping the tab stop intact.

The most effective way to resolve this overlap without breaking page number alignment is to change the paragraph indentation settings for the specific style applied to your Table of Figures.

Open the Styles pane

Go to the 'Home' tab and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Styles group (or press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+S) to open the Styles pane.

Modify the Table of Figures Style

Locate the style used for your Table of Figures (usually named 'Table of Figures'). Right-click it and select 'Modify'.

Access Paragraph Formatting

In the Modify Style dialog box, click on the 'Format' button at the bottom left corner and choose 'Paragraph' from the dropdown menu.

Set the Right Indent

Under the Indentation section, increase the 'Right' indent value (e.g., to 0.5 inches or 1.5 cm) so that the long text wraps down to the next line before it reaches the page number area.

Confirm Tab Stops

Ensure you have a left hanging indent applied if desired, and verify that the right tab stop used for the page numbers is positioned beyond the new right indent value. Click 'OK' twice to apply the changes.

Automatic Updates: Updating the base style will automatically apply this proper formatting to all existing and future entries in your Table of Figures.

Format Tables Perfectly with WPS Writer

Create and Format Table of Figures Easily with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing document elements like Table of Figures, TOCs, and advanced styles, ensuring your text never overlaps with page numbers.

1. Insert Table of Figures: Navigate to the 'References' tab and select 'Insert Table of Figures' to automatically generate your list based on image or table captions.
2. Access the Style Settings: Open the Home tab's Style menu, right-click the specific TOF style being used, and select 'Modify' to adjust its layout.
3. Adjust Indentation: Under Paragraph formatting, set a Right Indent to wrap text before the page number margin, keeping your layout neat and professional.

Easily modify Table of Figures and TOC styles in a clean UIFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive paragraph and indentation controlsFree and lightweight everyday document processor

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my text overlap the page numbers in the Table of Figures?

This happens when the title text is too long and the right indent is set too close to the right margin. The text pushes into the physical space reserved for the page number's right-aligned tab stop.

Can I manually add line breaks to fix the overlap?

While you can manually insert a soft return (Shift+Enter) in the text, it is highly discouraged because updating the Table of Figures will overwrite your manual changes. Modifying the style is a permanent, automated fix.

Will modifying the Table of Figures style affect my Table of Contents?

No. The Table of Figures uses its own dedicated styles (e.g., 'Table of Figures'), whereas the Table of Contents uses TOC styles (TOC 1, TOC 2, etc.). Modifying one does not impact the other.

How do I ensure the page numbers still align perfectly on the right?

You must ensure that the Right Tab Stop used for the page numbers is positioned outside (further to the right) of the new Right Indent value you set for the text.

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