Table and Figure Lists and Captions

Please note: these resources are specific to Texas Tech's electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) accessibility requirements

Dissertations and theses require not only a Table of Contents but also a List of Figures and a List of Tables. For accessibility reasons, these must be generated using the tools included in your writing software. To create a list of tables and list of figures in Microsoft Word, use the instructions below.

Please note, these instructions require the desktop version of Word.

For a video on how to create a list of tables and captions, follow this link.

How to create Table Caption formats

Establishing the Style

1. Place your cursor before the text that you are using to describe your table (the caption)
   • Note that all text from the cursor to the next paragraph break will be considered the caption
2. Select the References tab
3. Select Insert Caption
4. Change Options>Label: to Table
5. Select OK
6. Delete any duplication (e.g., Table 1. Table 1) from your caption
7. Go to the Home menu and select Styles pane
8. Select Caption
9. Right click and select Modify to match color, font, font size, and any other necessary details to match the TTU ETD template and your citation style guide
10. In the Modify Style pop-up menu, select Format in the bottom left to select Paragraph to adjust spacing and other details as needed
11. Select OK, then OK again

Creating the remaining Table captions

1. Place your cursor before the text that you are using to describe your table (the caption)
   • Note that all text from the cursor to the next paragraph break will be considered the caption
2. Select the References tab
3. Select Insert Caption
4. Confirm that the Label field says Table
5. Select OK
6. Delete any duplicate numbering

Insert List of Tables

1. Place your cursor where you would like to insert the List of Tables
2. Type out List of Tables and apply the appropriate heading type for your document
3. Select References tab
4. Select Insert Table of Figures
5. In the Caption Label dropdown menu, select Table
6. Select Modify in the lower right
7. Select Modify again to change the formatting to match citation style guide and TTU ETD template requirements
8. Select Format in the bottom left, make any changes necessary in the Paragraph settings
9. Select OK until you have returned to the main document
10. Right-click on the table to select Update after any changes

How to create Figure Caption formats

Establishing the Style

1. Place your cursor before the text that you are using to describe your figure (the caption)
   • Note that all text from the cursor to the next paragraph break will be considered the caption
2. Select the References tab
3. Select Insert Caption
4. Change Options>Label: to Figure
5. Select OK
6. Delete any duplication (e.g., Figure 1. Figure 1) from your caption
7. Go to the Home menu and select Styles pane
8. Select Caption
9. Right click and select Modify to match color, font, font size, and any other necessary details to match the TTU ETD template and your citation style guide
10. In the Modify Style pop-up menu, select Format in the bottom left to select Paragraph to adjust spacing and other details as needed
11. Select OK, then OK again

Creating the remaining Figure captions

1. Place your cursor before the text that you are using to describe your figure (the caption)
   • Note that all text from the cursor to the next paragraph break will be considered the caption
2. Select the References tab
3. Select Insert Caption
4. Confirm that the Label field says Figure
5. Select OK
6. Delete any duplicate numbering

Insert List of Figures

1. Place your cursor where you would like to insert the List of Figures
2. Type out List of Figures and apply the appropriate heading type for your document
3. Select References tab
4. Select Insert Table of Figures
5. In the Caption Label dropdown menu, select Figure
6. Select Modify in the lower right
7. Select Modify again to change the formatting to match citation style guide and TTU ETD template requirements
8. Select Format in the bottom left, make any changes necessary in the Paragraph settings
9. Select OK until you have returned to the main document
10. Right-click on the table to select Update after any changes

 

For more information visit Texas Tech's Digital Accessibility Website for trainings and resources, or schedule an appointment at the Graduate Writing Center.

Part of the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Accessibility Resource for Microsoft Word  series compiled by Allison Belisle, Graduate School, and Rebecca Bruning and Caroline Hetherington, Graduate Writing Center, a unit of Academic Innovation and Student Success, under the Office of the Provost.