automate table of contents updates when new pages are added?

[jerryjohn2]

Hi everyone! I’m working on a long InDesign document and need help with managing the table of contents. Is there a way to automate TOC updates so that when I add or rearrange pages, it refreshes automatically instead of me having to manually rebuild it each time? Any tips or best practices?

[Peter Spier]

Might be scriptable, but otherwise nothing I'm aware of.

[Mike Witherell]

JerryJohn,

When you make a ToC, also name and save a Style name, like "JJsToC". 

But after editing changes, you have to click on Update Table of Contents. It does not run itself.

Have you considered making a checklist of things to do to a finalizing publication like update ToC, Index, and running the spell-checker?  Visually examine each page? These are still careful human endeavors.

[rob day]

Hi @jerryjohn2 , Do you need more than Layout>Update Table of Contents with a key command assigned? A script could listen for some kind of event and automate the update, but that might come with some unexpected or unintended updates.

[Colin Flashman]

Not without scripting or a third party plug-in. There is a plug-in offered by ID-Extras called LiveTOC that may interest you: https://www.id-extras.com/products/livetoc/ - it is a paid plug-in.

[jerryjohn2 · Accepted solution]

Thanks mate, for your help.