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July 7, 2026
Answered

How to Create a TOC with Only the Title and Not the Subtitle

  • July 7, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 74 views

Hi,

 

I am trying to create a paragraph style that contains a Title and Subtitle.

I will ultimately create a TOC that contains just the Title.

AFAIK, the paragraph style is accomplished by created the Subtitle style, then nesting the Title as a character style through n words/symbols etc. 

I don’t see a clear path to generate the TOC I want based on this approach.

Can anybody offer any suggestions?
Thanks!

    Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

    Are the Title and Subtitle on the same line or two separate lines?

    If same line:

    You can format this using nested styles BUT the TOC will pick up the entire line. The only way around this is to create a non-printing text frame that contains the Title text by itself using a unique style and place it at one of the page margins. Make sure it is touching the page.

    If two separate lines:

    You can create 2 separate styles (Title and Subtitle). Set the Subtitle to be the Next Style in the paragraph style settings. That will automatically change styles when you enter in the text. The TOC should be set to only look for the Title style. 

    3 replies

    FRIdNGE
    FRIdNGE
    July 9, 2026

    Could you show screenshots?

     

    (^/)  The Jedi

    E
    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 8, 2026

    You might look at using Cross References or index instead of ToC for this one.

     

     

     


    If you can supply a sample I’ll see if there’s another way - possibly a script to update the ToC and strip out the content not needed - that way it’s still one action - run the script and done. And it keeps the TOC feature. 

    But if it’s a short enough list for the ToC then Cross References would be my preferred method here.

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    July 7, 2026

    Are the Title and Subtitle on the same line or two separate lines?

    If same line:

    You can format this using nested styles BUT the TOC will pick up the entire line. The only way around this is to create a non-printing text frame that contains the Title text by itself using a unique style and place it at one of the page margins. Make sure it is touching the page.

    If two separate lines:

    You can create 2 separate styles (Title and Subtitle). Set the Subtitle to be the Next Style in the paragraph style settings. That will automatically change styles when you enter in the text. The TOC should be set to only look for the Title style. 

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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