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Formatting Your Thesis or Dissertation with Microsoft Word

  • Lists of Tables and Figures
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Lists of tables and figures

Just like the table of contents, Microsoft Word can be used to automatically generate both a list of tables and a list of figures. Automatic generation of these lists has the same advantages as automatically generating the table of contents:

  • You don't have to manually type the list of tables or the list of figures
  • You don't have to go back and edit the lists if any of the figures or tables changes pages. A couple of clicks and Word will automatically update the list of tables or the list of figures for you.

Below is a tutorial demonstrating how to create the list of tables and the list of figures.

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thesis list of tables

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How to Write the List of Figures for a Thesis or Dissertation

DiscoverPhDs

  • By DiscoverPhDs
  • September 20, 2020

List of Figures

A list of figures for your thesis or dissertation is exactly that: it’s a list of the names of all figures you’ve used in your thesis or dissertation, together with the page number that they’re on.

The list of figures is especially useful for a reader to refer to as it (1) gives the reader an overview of the types of figures you’ve included in your document and (2) helps them easily find a particular figure that they’re interested in.

Where Does the List of Figures go?

Write your list of figures and list of tables immediately after your list of contents. Unless specifically asked by a journal, you should not include a separate list of figures in a manuscript for peer-review.

Important Points to Remember

Ensure that the figure title in your list of figures are exactly the same as actually used in the main document. Double check that the page numbering is correct and the font size, margins and all other formatting is correct.

Formatting the List of Figures

Starting off, use Roman Numbers (e.g. iv and viii) to number the sections of the Table of Contents, List of Figures and List of Tables (the title page does not have a number written on it). Arabic numbering (e.g. 1, 2, 3) should start from the Introduction onwards.

Keep your margins consistent with those of the rest of the document, as required by your university. Usually this will be a margin of 4cm on the side of the paper that will be bound and 2cm on the opposing side (e.g. the pages printed that will be on the right hand side of the thesis will have a left margin of 4cm).

While the font size of your figure legends will be slightly smaller than the main text, keep the font style of the list of figures the same as the main text (usually 12 pt).

Title this section in all capital letters as “LIST OF FIGURES”.

List each new figure caption on a new line and capitalise the start of each word. Write the figure number on the left, then caption label and finally the page number the figure corresponds to on the right-hand side.

Apply the same formatting principle to the List of Tables in your thesis of dissertation. That is to insert each table numberon a new line, followed by the table title.

Example of the List of Figures

The example below was created in Microsoft Word. You could also consider incorporating other tools such as Endnote to help automate some of the work of entering a new caption for a figure or table. Be mindful of the Figure labelling convention required by your university. For example, you may need to align the Figure numbers with each chapter (e.g. Figure 1.1, 1.2, 1.3…. for Chapter 1 and Figure 2.1, 2.2, 2.3…. for Chapter 2).

List of Figures Example

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List of Figures and Tables in a Dissertation – Examples in Word

Published by Owen Ingram at August 13th, 2021 , Revised On September 20, 2023

“List of tables and figures is a list containing all the tables and figures that you have used in your dissertation paper. Typically, dissertations don’t have many tables and figures unless the research involved is too deep and lengthy.”

Another reason to have an independent list of figures and tables in the dissertation and corresponding page numbers is the research’s nature. For example, research on a topic from physical sciences or engineering could include many figures and tables. Ideally, quantitative research studies tend to contain more tables and/or figures than qualitative ones.

The purpose of presenting the list of figures and tables in the dissertation on a separate page is to help the readers find tables and figures of their interest without looking through the whole dissertation document.

First of all, we need to decide whether we require the figure and table list in the dissertation to begin with.

If your dissertation includes many tables and figures, this list will prove to be helpful for the readers, because the figures will have relative page numbers mentioned with them so they can navigate to the figure or table of their choice with just one click.

A list of table or figures in a dissertation typically follows this simple format:

list of table or figures in a dissertation

Also Read: How to Best Use References in a Dissertation

Referencing List of Figures and Tables in the Dissertation

When mentioning tables and figures in the list, one must be sure that they have been clearly numbered and titled. If a figure has been obtained from an external source, that source should be clearly referenced in the text and the references section.

Regardless of the  referencing style , you are using, it is mandatory to provide a reference along with the title. This will help the readers to track the origin of the figure.

Adding Titles and Numbers to Figures and Tables

Adding titles and page numbers in your list of figures and tables within Microsoft Word is very quick and straightforward. Follow the steps mentioned below to generate a Microsoft Word-supported   list of figures and tables in the dissertation with their captions and corresponding page numbers.

  • Highlight the table or the figure you want to add title and number to, right-click and click Insert Caption .
  • Next, select the Above selected item if you are working with tables. Similarly, choose Below selected items if you want to add the title and page number to a figure.

Also read: How to Write the Abstract for the Dissertation.

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Generating List of Figures and Tables Automatically

After adding all your captions, MS Word will automatically generate the figures and tables list for you. Remember, the list will only contain those you already marked using the Insert Caption … tool.

To generate a list of tables and figures in MS Word automatically:

Step #1 – Decide where to Insert the List

Place your cursor at the point where you wish to insert the tables and figures list. The most suitable spot is always right below the table of contents in your dissertation paper.

Step #2 – Insert the List of Figures and Tables in the Dissertation

  • In the Word menu bar, click on References .
  • In the dialogue box that appears, click on Insert: Table of figures .
  • In the dialogue box caption label, you can choose between a Figure or a Table , as appropriate. Moreover, you will be able to choose a design that appears most suitable for you. The reference provides all information that is required to find the source, e.g., Vinz, S.

Example of list of tables and figures

table lists in your dissertation example

Other Useful Lists you can add to your Dissertation Paper

Although tables and figures lists can be beneficial, we might need a few more lists, including abbreviations and a glossary in dissertations. We can have a sequence for this which is as follows:

  • Table of contents (ToC)
  • List of tables and figures
  • Abbreviations list

ResearchProspect has helped students with their dissertations and essays for several years, regardless of how urgent and complexes their requirements might be. We have dissertation experts in all academic subjects, so you can be confident of having each of your module requirements met. Learn more about our dissertation writing services and essay writing services .

FAQs About List of Tables and Figures in a Dissertation

Which comes first a list of figures or a list of tables.

Simply put, a list of tables comes first—right after the table of contents page, beginning from a new page—in a dissertation.

Are tables also figures?

No; tables have rows and columns in them, whereas figures in a dissertation can comprise any form of visual element, mostly images, graphs, charts, diagrams, flowcharts, etc. furthermore, tables generally summarise and represent raw data, such as the relationship between two quantitative variables.

Do I need to create a list of tables/figures even if I have only one table or figure in my dissertation?

Typically, yes; dissertation writing guidelines stipulate that we create a list even if we have used only one table and/or figure within our dissertation.

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List of Tables, List of Figures

If even one numbered table or figure appears in your manuscript, then a List of Tables and/or a List of Figures must be included in your manuscript following the Table of Contents. If both are used, arrange the List of Tables before the List of Figures.

NOTE: The templates were created using the 2013 version of Microsoft Word. If a template is downloaded in another version of Word or another word processing program, the formatting may be incorrect. Also, if a template is copied and pasted into another document, the settings of that document (margins, page number settings, font style, etc.) may affect the look of the template.

  • List of Tables template (DOC)

This Microsoft Word document can be saved to your computer to use as a template. It was created using Microsoft Office 2013 version of Word. Please email [email protected] if you have problems with the download.

  • List of Figures template (DOC)

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  • Figure & Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples

Figure & Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples

Published on 24 May 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on 25 October 2022.

A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation, along with their corresponding page numbers. These lists give your reader an overview of how you have used figures and tables in your document.

While these lists are often not required, you may want to include one as a way to stay organised if you are using several figures and tables in your paper. Your educational institution may require one, so be sure to check their guidelines. Ultimately, if you do choose to add one, it should go directly after your table of contents .

You can download our Microsoft Word template below to help you get started.

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  • Table of contents

How to create a list of figures and tables in Word

Example of a list of tables and figures, additional lists to consider, frequently asked questions.

The first step to creating your list of figures and tables is to ensure that each of your figures and tables has a caption . This way, Microsoft Word will be able to find each one and compile them in your list automatically.

To do this, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the References tab, and click ‘Insert Caption’, which you can find in the Captions group.
  • Give your caption a name. In the Label list, you can select the label that best describes your figure or table, or make your own by selecting ‘New Label’.

Add captions to list of tables and figures

Next, you can insert the list of tables and figures directly by clicking ‘Insert Table of Figures’, which can be found to the right of the ‘Insert Caption’ button. Be careful here – the list will only include items that you have marked using the ‘Insert Caption’ tool!

You can choose the formatting and layout within this menu as well, as you can see below.

Add list of tables and figures

There are a few things to remember as you go:

  • Figures and tables always need to be numbered, with clear titles.
  • If a figure or table is taken from or based on another source, be sure to cite your sources .

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

list of tables and figures example

In addition to your list of tables and figures, there are a few other lists to consider for your thesis or dissertation. They can be placed in the following order:

  • title=”Abbreviations of a dissertation” Abbreviation list

Copyright information can usually be found wherever the table or figure was published. For example, for a diagram in a journal article , look on the journal’s website or the database where you found the article. Images found on sites like Flickr are listed with clear copyright information.

If you find that permission is required to reproduce the material, be sure to contact the author or publisher and ask for it.

Lists of figures and tables are often not required, and they aren’t particularly common. They specifically aren’t required for APA Style, though you should be careful to follow their other guidelines for figures and tables .

If you have many figures and tables in your thesis or dissertation, include one may help you stay organised. Your educational institution may require them, so be sure to check their guidelines.

APA doesn’t require you to include a list of tables or a list of figures . However, it is advisable to do so if your text is long enough to feature a table of contents and it includes a lot of tables and/or figures .

A list of tables and list of figures appear (in that order) after your table of contents, and are presented in a similar way.

A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation and displays them with the page number where they can be found.

Your list of tables and figures should go directly after your table of contents in your thesis or dissertation.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

George, T. (2022, October 25). Figure & Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 29 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/list-of-figures-tables/

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Microsoft Word for Dissertations

  • List of Figures/Tables
  • Introduction, Template, & Resources
  • Formatting for All Readers
  • Applying a Style
  • Modifying a Style
  • Setting up a Heading 1 Example
  • Images, Charts, Other Objects
  • Footnotes, Endnotes, & Citations
  • Cross-References
  • Appendix Figures & Tables
  • Table of Contents
  • Chapter and Section Numbering
  • Page Numbers
  • Landscape Pages
  • Combining Chapter Files
  • Commenting and Reviewing
  • The Two-inch Top Margin
  • Troubleshooting
  • Finalizing Without Styles
  • Preparing Your Final Document

Automatic Lists of Figures and Tables

If you have captioned your figures, tables, and equations using Word’s captioning feature (see the  Captions tab in the left-side navigation of this Guide), you can have Word generate your lists for you automatically.

thesis list of tables

  • In the References tab, click the Insert Table of Figures button  (use this for lists of tables or equations, too).
  • In the window that appears, select the label for which you want to make a list from the Caption Label menu (such as "Equation", "Figure", or "Table").
  • If you want to change the style of your table of contents (e.g. change the font, or you want more space between each item in the list), click on the Modify button, select the Table of Figures style, then click the Modify button to do so. Click OK when you are done.
  • Click OK to insert your table of contents.  

Repeat these steps to insert other lists into your document (Rackham requires separate lists for tables, figures, and any other label you’ve used).  A List of Appendices is handled differently - see the Appendices section of this Guide for more information.

Including Figures and Supplemental Figures in the List of Figures

There are two ways to combine Figures AND Supplemental Figures in your List of Figures -- the easy way, and the complicated way. It comes down to how you want the list to be laid out. This goes for Tables and Supplemental Tables, too, of course.

The Easy Way

Use the Insert Caption tool to apply a Figure caption (just like you've been doing with your regular Figures) to each of your Supplemental Figures. Once you've got the caption in place, then just type the word "Supplemental" before "Figure X".  When you update it, the List of Figures will pull in "Supplemental Figure X" into the List.  The drawback is that the numbering for those Supplemental Figures will follow the numbering for your regular Figures, so you'll have:

Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2 Supplemental Figure 1.3 Figure 1.4

If you'd prefer the first Supplemental Figure to be numbered independently of the Figure numbering ("Supplemental Figure 1.1"), then things get a bit more complicated. We cover how to integrate figures and supplemental figures into one List of Figures in the section below.

How do I integrate figures and supplemental figures in the same List of Figures?

A recent email inquiry:

Several of my chapters have supplemental figures at the end that I would like to include in the List of Figures at the beginning of my thesis. Do you know how to include all captions labeled either "Supplemental Figure" or "Figure" in the same List of Figures, using Word styles? I know how to create a label for each type of figure, but not how to integrate those two different labels into one List, based on order of appearance in my dissertation. Right now, I have to create two Lists: Figures go in the first, and Supplemental Figures go in the second. I want to set it up so that Figure 1 is followed by Supplemental Figure 1, which is followed by Figure 2, all in the same List. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Our response:

The problem you're running into is that a "List of..." can only have captions representing one caption  label . We can set up separate labels for "Figures" and "Supplemental Figures", but as you've found, you then have to have each of those two lists in your List of Figures, one after the other:

Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2 Figure 1.3 Supplemental Figure 1.1 Supplemental Figure 1.2

To the reader, it wouldn't necessarily be apparent they are two lists, of course, but they would not be integrated as you're hoping.

If you don't mind the Supplemental Figure numbers NOT starting over at 1 (Figure 1.6 might be followed by Supplemental Figure 1.7, and then Figure 1.8, for example), then you can continue to use the Figure caption...and manually insert the word "Supplemental" before Figure. All of that will still get pulled into the List of Figures.

The real, but problematic, solution:

But if you really want to have those supplemental figures interspersed among the other figures in your List of Figures and using their own numbering scheme, there's a way. The solution is tricky, it's a bit of a hack, and may be more trouble than it's worth...but you'll be the best judge of that.  The trick is to go ahead and create the two caption labels, and then we'll create one List that pulls in ALL captions -- which means this List will initially be cluttered with all your Table, Figure, Supplemental Figure, etc... captions -- an messy thing, but we did mention this solution was a little tricky. Then – most importantly – we'll delete the lines that include captions for things we don't want in there.

Start off by deleting any existing List of Figures you already have. Then:

thesis list of tables

1. Place your cursor where you want your integrated list of figures to be.

2. In the References tab, click Insert Table of Figures

3. In the window that appears, click Options...

thesis list of tables

5. Click OK to close the Table of Figures window.

That will create one list that includes ALL of your captions -- tables, figures, equations, supplemental figures -- everything. You now need to delete the things that shouldn't be there. A helpful tip is to hover your cursor in the empty 1" margin just to the left of the lines you want to delete (your cursor will change to a rightward-facing arrow) and click once to select a line. Click and drag in the margin to select multiple lines. This can make it much easier to select things to delete.

This is something you should wait to do until just before you save it as a PDF or send it to a reviewer, because anytime you update that all-in-one List of Figures field, it'll pull EVERYTHING back in again ...and you'll have to delete the unwanted items again.

Obviously, this is a hack and could be a big job if there are a lot of captions to find and delete. There may be a more elegant way to do it, but we haven't found anything better yet, unfortunately. Perhaps you could create a brand new caption style (or modify an existing style that's not being used), apply it to all your Figure and Supplemental Figure captions, and use this same trick to "Build table of figures from:" that new style -- but we haven't dug into that yet. Still pretty "hacky", but perhaps worth exploring if you're feeling adventurous.

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Formatting Your Dissertation (or Thesis): List of Figures and Tables

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List of Figures and Tables is a separate section in your dissertation or thesis that provides a comprehensive list of all the figures and tables included in your document. It helps readers locate specific figures and tables quickly. 

You can list and organize the figures, pictures, or tables in your Word document by creating a table of figures, much like a table of contents. First add captions to your figures, and then use the  Insert Table of Figures  command on the  References  tab. Word then searches the document for your captions and automatically adds a list of figures, sorted by page number.

Before you create a table of figures, you must add captions to all the figures and tables that you want included in your table of figures. For more information, see  Add, format, or delete captions in Word .

Insert a table of figures

Click in your document where you want to insert the table of figures.

Click  References  >  Insert Table of Figures .

The Insert Table of Figures command is on the References tab.

You can adjust your  Format  and  Options  in the  Table of Figures  dialog box. Click  OK .

Add, format, or delete captions in Word

You can add captions to figures, equations, or other objects. A caption is a numbered label, such as "Figure 1", that you can add to a figure, a table, an equation, or another object. It's comprised of customizable text ("Figure", "Table", "Equation" or something else that you type) followed by an ordered number or letter ("1, 2, 3..." or "a, b, c..." typically) which can be optionally followed by some additional, descriptive, text if you like.

1. Text that you select or create.

2. Number that Word inserts for you

If you later add, delete, or move captions, you can easily update the caption numbers all at once.

You can also use those captions to create a table of the captioned items for example, a  table of figures  or a table of equations.

Update a table of figures

If you add, delete, change, or move captions, use  Update Table  so the table of figures reflects your changes.

Click on the table of figures in your document. This will highlight the entire table.

Click  References  >  Update Table .

The Update Table command is on the References tab.

Note:    Update Table  becomes an option only when you click the table of figures in your document. You can also press F9 to update your table of figures.

Select an  Update  in the in the  Update Table of Figures  dialog box.

Select  Update page numbers  if you need to adjust the page numbers.

Select  Update entire table  if you have moved figures or altered captions.

Click  OK .

Add captions automatically

Word can add captions automatically as you insert tables or other objects.

Select the object (table, equation, figure, or another object) that you want to add a caption to.

On the  References  tab, in the  Captions  group, click  Insert Caption .

On the  Captions  dialog box, click  AutoCaption , and then select the check boxes for the items that you want Word to automatically add captions to. You can also choose which position to add captions to in the  Position  drop-down list.

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Formatting Requirements

Tables, figures and illustrations.

Tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items should be identified with the word "Table", "Figure", or other appropriate descriptor, and include a title and/or caption. The title or caption must be included in the List of Tables, List of Figures, or other list.

You must use a consistent format for titles and captions of tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items throughout the thesis.

  • lettering in tables and figures should be at least 2 mm high to ensure that the information is easy to read
  • tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items must have titles or captions, and must be numbered
  • titles or captions can go either above or below the table, figure, or illustration
  • headings must be repeated on the second and subsequent pages of tables that split over two pages or more
  • tables should be split at an appropriate place, e.g. just before a new subheading
  • the format for titles and captions of tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items must be consistent throughout the thesis.

Tables, figures, illustrations and other such items must be numbered consecutively in order of appearance within the thesis.

There are two methods for numbering Tables, Figures and other items:

  • sequentially throughout the thesis, e.g. 1, 2, 3…
  • chapter number first, then numbered sequentially within each chapter, e.g.:

Tables in Chapter 1: Table 1.1, 1.2, 1.3…

Figures in Chapter 3: Figure 3.1, 3.2, 3.3…

Whichever method you choose, the numbering style must be the same for all numbered items; for example: Table 1.1 and Figure 1.3, or Table 1 and Figure 3, not Table 1 and Figure 1.3.

Tables and figures in the Appendices may be labelled A1, A2, etc.

There are three acceptable locations for tables and figures:

  • within the chapter immediately following first reference to them
  • grouped at the end of the relevant chapter
  • grouped at the end of the thesis before the bibliography

Whichever method you choose, you must be consistent.

If your tables and figures are grouped at the end of the thesis, you must include an entry in the table of contents that directs the reader to their location.

If the caption for a figure, table, etc., will not fit on the same page as its accompanying illustration, place the illustration on a separate page.

Reproducing and Reducing

Copying and/or reducing the size of figures (e.g. charts, drawings, graphs, photographs, maps, etc.) may make certain images illegible. After reduction, all lettering must be large enough to fulfill the font size requirements, and must be clear and readable.

Copyrighted Material

If you remove copyrighted tables, figures, or illustrations from your thesis you must insert the following at the spot where the table, figure, or illustration previously appeared:

  • A statement that the material has been removed because of copyright restrictions
  • A description of the material and the information it contained, plus a link to an online source if one is available
  • A full citation of the original source of the material

See the Theses and Dissertations Guide “ Unable to get Permission? ”

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Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Create and Update a List of Tables or Figures in Microsoft Word

By Erin Wright

Books on table in loft with text overlay "How to Create and Update a List of Tables or Figures in Microsoft Word"

We will also look at how to update the list as you add, move, or delete tables or figures.

Terminology Note: This tutorial uses the terms list of tables and list of figures , which are common terms in the publishing industry. However, Word refers to a list of tables or figures as a table of figures .

This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 200 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel .

The images below are from Word in Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). The steps are the same in Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013. However, your interface may look different in those older versions of the software.

How to Create a List of Tables or Figures

Remember that these steps will only work if you used Word’s caption tool to number your tables or figures before creating the list.

  • Insert your cursor where you want to place your list.
  • Select the References tab in the ribbon.

References tab in Word 365

  • Select Insert Table of Figures from the Captions group.

Insert Table of Figures button in Word 365

  • Select a visual style from the Formats menu in the Table of Figures dialog box. (The From Template option is based on the styles established in your current template.)

Formats menu in the Table of Figures dialog box in Word 365

  • Select Figure or Table from the Caption label menu. (There is no option for listing figures and tables together.)

Caption label menu in the Table of Figures dialog box in Word 365

  • Ensure that Include label and number is checked if you want the label (i.e., Figure or Table ) and the number to be included in the list. (Recommended)

Include label and number option in the Table of Figures dialog box in Word 365

  • (Optional Step) Select additional options concerning page numbers and the tab leaders, which are the dots, dashes, or lines that appear before the page numbers.

Page number and Tab Leader options in the Table of Figures dialog box in Word 365

Pro Tip: The Web Preview section shows how your list will look if you convert your Word file to a web page.

  • Select the OK button.

OK button in the Table of Figures dialog box in Word 365

  • Manually type a title above your list.

List of figures with title

  • Save your file to save your changes.

The next section shows how to update a list of tables or figures.

How to Update a List of Tables or Figures

Word will not automatically update your list as you add or delete tables or figures. Instead, you can manually trigger updates, as necessary.

  • Right-click the list and select Update Field from the shortcut menu.

Update Field option in Word 365

  • Select Update entire table from the Update Table of Figures dialog box.

Update entire table option in the Update Table of Figures dialog box in Word 365

Your updates should appear immediately.

Important Note: Word’s caption tool, which inserts table titles and figure captions , will automatically number new tables and figures as you add titles and captions (e.g., Table 1, Table 2, Table 3). However, Word will not automatically update the numbering if you move or delete tables or figures.

See “ How to Update Table and Figure Numbers in Microsoft Word ” to learn how to force an update after moving or deleting a table or figure.

Related Resources

How to Create and Customize Charts in Microsoft Word

How to Insert and Modify Images in Microsoft Word

Three Ways to Insert Tables in Microsoft Word

How to Change the Style of Table Titles and Figure Captions in Microsoft Word

How to Cross-Reference Tables and Figures in Microsoft Word

How to Reference Tables and Figures in Text

Updated December 14, 2022

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University of South Florida

Office of Graduate Studies

Main navigation, section-specific, list of tables.

Link: List of Tables

The List of Tables is similar to a Table of Contents, in that it identifies all of the tables in the manuscript, along with their respective page numbers. If your thesis/dissertation contains one or more tables, a List of Tables is required. 

Setting Up Tabs

  • Create the "List of Tables" heading (2" from the top of the page, styled as a 1st level heading).
  • Set page spacing to single-spaced.
  • Click on the bottom right of the Paragraph tab to open the Paragraph Settings window.
  • Click on the Tabs button at the bottom left of the window.
  • Set the first tab to 0.75" (Align LEFT ; Leader NONE ).
  • Set a final indent to 6.5" (Align RIGHT ; Leader DOTTED - if you want to have a dotted leader line).
  • Click Save on the Tabs window and then close the Paragraph settings window.
  • Click and move the right indent to 6.0" so that any long headers will wrap to the next line.

General Formatting

  • Line Spacing: Single-spaced (with a single-spaced line added before all new table listings)
  • Page Number: Lowercase Roman numeral (continued from Table of Contents)

Section Heading Formatting

  • All 1st-order headings must be 2" from the top edge of the page and must be styled consistently.

Content Formatting

  • All table captions (titles) must match verbatim (word-for-word) to those used in the body of manuscript. (Include only the first sentence of each table caption.)
  • All tables are numbered consecutively using a consistent style.
  • Titles should break 0.5" before the right margin to prevent overcrowding of page numbers.
  • The "Table #" should be against the left margin while the name/title/caption of the table should be indented either 0.75" or 1". All lines of the caption must be indented the same. See the above example for help.
  • All page numbers associated with table titles must correspond to the correct location in the body of the manuscript.
  • All page numbers must be right-aligned with the 1" right margin.
  • Tables from the Appendices section are listed using Arabic numbers that are different from those in the body. (i.e.: Table 1A, Table 2A, or Table A1, Table A2, etc.)

The Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

List of tables, list of figures (optional).

The Graduate College Thesis Office discourages the inclusion of a List of Tables or List of Figures.

  • If included, the List is considered a chapter equivalent. It should be placed after the Table of Contents and should be listed in the Table of Contents.
  • If included, the List should be formatted exactly like the Table of Contents, except that captions may be shortened in the List (refer to Table of Contents Requirements ).

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Lists of tables and figures

  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Changing the names
  • 3 Further reading

Introduction

A list of the tables and figures keep the information organized and provide easy access to a specific element. This article explains how to create a list of figures, a list of tables and how to change the default title in both of them.

Let's start with a basic example:

ListOfTablesAndFiguresEx1OLV2.png

 Open an example on Overleaf

The commands \listoffigures and \listoftables are self explanatory, the first one generates the list of figures and the second one the list of tables. In this example there are two more relevant commands:

Changing the names

As shown in the following example, the default titles, "List of Tables" and "List of Figures", can be changed to any other text:

Listoffiguresandtables.png

The commands that re-write the titles are:

  • \renewcommand{\listfigurename}{List of plots} will write "List of plots" instead of "List of Figures".
  • \renewcommand{\listtablename}{Tables} will write "Tables" instead of "List of Tables".

If you use the babel package in your document and you need to use any of the previous commands, put it inside the braces of \addto\captionsenglish{ } . Instead of english in \captionenglish write the name of the language you set in babel.

Note : your document may need to be compiled twice for the lists to be generated properly.

Further reading

For more information see:

  • Inserting Images
  • Positioning images and tables
  • Sections and chapters
  • Table of contents
  • Page numbering
  • Management in a large project
  • Multi-file LaTeX projects
  • The not so short introduction to L a T e X 2 ε
  • Documentation Home
  • Learn LaTeX in 30 minutes

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Field specific

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  • Chess notation
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  • Typesetting exams in LaTeX
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Class files

  • Understanding packages and class files
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  • Writing your own class

Advanced TeX/LaTeX

  • In-depth technical articles on TeX/LaTeX

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IMAGES

  1. List of tables in thesis writing

    thesis list of tables

  2. Inserting Tables

    thesis list of tables

  3. Tables in Research Paper

    thesis list of tables

  4. thesis

    thesis list of tables

  5. Formatting Help

    thesis list of tables

  6. How to Write the List of Figures for a Thesis or Dissertation

    thesis list of tables

VIDEO

  1. How to insert automatic table of contents

  2. Thesis List

  3. How to insert automatic list of figure and list of table

  4. How to make a formal table on MS word for research paper, thesis #table #microsoftword #research

  5. Working in the GCU Template: Lists of Tables and Figures

  6. How to Create Table of Contents in Latex Overleaf Bangla Tutorial 2023 |Add Insert Table of Contents

COMMENTS

  1. Figure and Table Lists

    Figure and Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples. Published on October 13, 2015 by Sarah Vinz.Revised on July 18, 2023 by Tegan George. A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation, along with their corresponding page numbers.

  2. Lists of Tables and Figures

    Just like the table of contents, Microsoft Word can be used to automatically generate both a list of tables and a list of figures. Automatic generation of these lists has the same advantages as automatically generating the table of contents: You don't have to manually type the list of tables or the list of figures

  3. How to Write the List of Figures for a Thesis or Dissertation

    List each new figure caption on a new line and capitalise the start of each word. Write the figure number on the left, then caption label and finally the page number the figure corresponds to on the right-hand side. Apply the same formatting principle to the List of Tables in your thesis of dissertation. That is to insert each table numberon a ...

  4. List of Figures and Tables in a Dissertation

    Step #2 - Insert the List of Figures and Tables in the Dissertation. In the Word menu bar, click on References. In the dialogue box that appears, click on Insert: Table of figures. In the dialogue box caption label, you can choose between a Figure or a Table, as appropriate. Moreover, you will be able to choose a design that appears most ...

  5. List of Tables, List of Figures

    If even one numbered table or figure appears in your manuscript, then a List of Tables and/or a List of Figures must be included in your manuscript following the Table of Contents. If both are used, arrange the List of Tables before the List of Figures. NOTE: The templates were created using the 2013 version of Microsoft Word.

  6. Figure & Table Lists

    Figure & Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples. Published on 24 May 2022 by Tegan George.Revised on 25 October 2022. A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation, along with their corresponding page numbers. These lists give your reader an overview of how you have used figures and tables in your document.

  7. PDF Tables and the List of Tables Manual

    A menu will pop up and look similar to the image below. Make sure the word "Table" is displayed in the Label section. If it does not, click on the down arrow in the Label section and select it from the list. When the caption figure says "Table 1," click OK. The label "Table 1" should appear in front of your caption.

  8. APA Format for Tables and Figures

    Tables and figures are each numbered separately, in the order they are referred to in your text. For example, the first table you refer to is Table 1; the fourth figure you refer to is Figure 4. The title should clearly and straightforwardly describe the content of the table or figure. Omit articles to keep it concise.

  9. PDF Manual for Formatting Figures and List of Figures in Thesis or Dissertation

    Formatting the Tables and the List of Tables in the Thesis or Dissertation. The formatting requirements for figures and tables and their respective lists are the same. Sections: Section 1: Formatting Figures within the Thesis or Dissertation (p. 2) • General Formatting Guidelines (p. 2) • Inserting a Caption for a Figure in Microsoft Word (p.

  10. List of Figures/Tables

    4. Check the box to build the table of figures using Style: Caption, then click OK. 5. Click OK to close the Table of Figures window. That will create one list that includes ALL of your captions -- tables, figures, equations, supplemental figures -- everything. You now need to delete the things that shouldn't be there.

  11. List of Figures and Tables

    List of Figures and Tables is a separate section in your dissertation or thesis that provides a comprehensive list of all the figures and tables included in your document. It helps readers locate specific figures and tables quickly. You can list and organize the figures, pictures, or tables in your Word document by creating a table of figures ...

  12. PDF Research Writing: Tables and Figures

    Table 4.1 Demographic and contextual data of PhD (thesis) candidates 92 Titles, labels and legends • Tables and figures all need brief but informative titles (don't be creative). • Titles for tables are generally written above; titles for figures, below (check preferences in your field). • If your table covers more than one page, begin ...

  13. Order and Components

    The table of contents should not contain listings for the pages that precede it, but it must list all parts of the thesis or dissertation that follow it. ... If applicable, include a list of tables, list of figures, and/or list of illustrations following these guidelines: Include the heading(s) in all capital letters, centered 1″ below the ...

  14. Tables, Figures and Illustrations

    The title or caption must be included in the List of Tables, List of Figures, or other list. You must use a consistent format for titles and captions of tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items throughout the thesis. lettering in tables and figures should be at least 2 mm high to ensure that the information is easy to read

  15. How to create a list of table (or figures) in a Masters or PhD thesis

    This is an instructional video on how to use Microsoft Word to automatically create a list of table or list of figure at the start of your Masters or PhD the...

  16. How to Create and Update a List of Tables or Figures in Microsoft Word

    Insert your cursor where you want to place your list. Select the References tab in the ribbon. Figure 1. References tab. Select Insert Table of Figures from the Captions group. Figure 2. Insert Table of Figures button. Select a visual style from the Formats menu in the Table of Figures dialog box.

  17. List of Tables

    The List of Tables is similar to a Table of Contents, in that it identifies all of the tables in the manuscript, along with their respective page numbers. If your thesis/dissertation contains one or more tables, a List of Tables is required. Setting Up Tabs. Create the "List of Tables" heading (2" from the top of the page, styled as a 1st level ...

  18. PDF Manual for Formatting Figures and List of Figures in Thesis or ...

    5. An example of a properly formatted List of Figures is provided at the end of the manual. 1 The information provided in this manual is the same as that for the Manual for Formatting the Tables and the List of Tables in the Thesis or Dissertation. The formatting requirements for figures and tables and their respective lists are the same. Sections:

  19. List of Tables, List of Figures (Optional)

    The Graduate College Thesis Office discourages the inclusion of a List of Tables or List of Figures. If included, the List is considered a chapter equivalent. It should be placed after the Table of Contents and should be listed in the Table of Contents.

  20. Lists of tables and figures

    The commands \listoffigures and \listoftables are self explanatory, the first one generates the list of figures and the second one the list of tables. In this example there are two more relevant commands: \thispagestyle{empty} Removes the page numbering. \pagenumbering{arabic} Re-start the page numbering with Arabic-style numerals.