APA, MLA, and Turabian formats do not offer guidelines for creating a Table of Contents. However, plenty of professors still ask for one.
PERRLA Online uses the basic formatting rules for APA, MLA, and Turabian to create a Table of Contents that meets the standards for all three formats.
Before you start
The Table of Contents is always built from the heading styles you insert into your paper, plus any sections you've added. To create a new entry in the Table of Contents, you must use the headings available in Text & Heading Style.
Need help adding headings to your paper? See How to set Text & Heading Styles (Online).
Adding a Table of Contents
Papers created after July 28, 2026
In PERRLA Online, you'll use the Navigator to the left of your paper to add sections.
- Click the + icon next to Navigator.
- Under Paper Parts, click Table of Contents.
PERRLA will add a Table of Contents at the correct location in your paper, showing all the headings and sections you've added.
Papers created before July 28, 2026
Once you have added some headings to your paper, you're ready to create your Table of Contents.
- Go to the PERRLA ribbon tab.
- Click Table of Contents.
- Click Add Table of Contents.
PERRLA will add a Table of Contents at the correct location in your paper, showing all the headings and sections you've added.
Removing a Table of Contents
Papers created after July 28, 2026
- In the Navigator, click the three dots next to Table of Contents.
- Choose Delete section.
- Click Yes, Delete to confirm.
Papers created before July 28, 2026
Click Table of Contents in the PERRLA ribbon tab and you'll be taken to the same panel – this time with the option to Remove Table of Contents. Click it to remove the Table of Contents from your paper.