Export a table of contents

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to export your generated table of contents (TOC) as a standalone file in Adobe InDesign.

After creating a TOC in InDesign, you can export it as a separate file to share or reuse. Make sure the TOC is generated, and it behaves like regular text, so its formatting is preserved when exported.

Note

For documents with multiple TOCs, select the appropriate TOC story before updating and exporting.

Open the document that contains the TOC.

If the document has changed, select or place the insertion point in the TOC text frame, then select Layout > Update Table of Contents.

Use the Type tool, then place the insertion point anywhere in the TOC story you want to export.

Select File > Export.

Type a filename, then choose a location.

From the Save as Type drop-down menu (Windows) or Format drop-down menu (macOS), select the export format.

Select Save.