How to Update a List of Figures in Word 365 Manually
Question details
The user needs to update the List of Figures in a Word 365 document to reflect recent changes, as it does not refresh on its own.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Modifying or adding new figures to a document and needing the List of Figures to accurately display the updated captions and page numbers.
- Observed behavior
- The List of Figures remains static and does not update automatically, regardless of how long the document has been open or saved.
Ensure that all your images and charts have been properly labeled using Word's 'Insert Caption' feature, as the List of Figures relies entirely on these caption fields to generate correctly.
Manually Update the List of Figures via the Context Menu
The most reliable way to refresh your List of Figures is by using the built-in right-click context menu to force the field to update.
Because the List of Figures in Word is treated as a static field code rather than a live dynamic element, it will not update in real-time as you add or move images. You must manually prompt Word to refresh the data.
Scroll to the page containing your List of Figures and click anywhere inside the list to highlight it.
Right-click the selected list to open the context menu.
Click on 'Update Field' from the dropdown options.
When prompted, select 'Update entire table' to ensure new figures and modified captions are included, then click 'OK'.
Update the List Using Keyboard Shortcuts
For faster document editing, you can use Word's built-in keyboard shortcuts to force the field to update without navigating through menus.
Easily Manage Figures and Tables with WPS Office
WPS Writer offers powerful, intuitive tools for academic and professional document editing. You can easily insert captions, generate a List of Figures, and update them with just a few clicks. It also provides exceptional compatibility with Microsoft Word formats (.docx), making it a perfect alternative.
- 1. Insert Captions: Select your image in WPS Writer, go to the 'References' tab, and click 'Insert Caption' to label your figure.
- 2. Create the List of Figures: Navigate to the 'References' tab and select 'Insert Table of Figures' to automatically generate your list based on the captions.
- 3. Update the List Instantly: Whenever you make changes, simply right-click the generated list in your document and choose 'Update Field' to refresh the contents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't my List of Figures update automatically in Word?
A List of Figures is essentially a complex field code in Word. To save system resources and prevent unwanted layout shifts while you type, Word does not update fields dynamically. You must trigger the update manually when you are ready.
What is the difference between 'Update page numbers only' and 'Update entire table'?
'Update page numbers only' simply corrects the page numbers for existing figures, which is faster for long documents if you haven't added or renamed any images. 'Update entire table' scans the document for new, modified, or deleted figure captions and rebuilds the list entirely from scratch.
Can I update all fields in my Word document at once?
Yes. You can press 'Ctrl + A' to select the entire document, and then press 'F9' (or 'Fn + F9'). This will update the Table of Contents, List of Figures, and any other updatable fields in the document simultaneously.
