List each of the headings used in your APA research paper, along with their heading level. Identify the heading level by the relation of each heading to other headings. For instance, a research paper with a major heading “Pollution Effects” may have three subheadings, “air pollution,” “water pollution” and “ground pollution.” If it helps, type a heading level to the right of each heading, such as “1” or “2,” but remember to remove these notes before you actually turn in your paper.
Identify your level one headings and highlight your first. Click on the “Home” tab at the top right of your screen. Move your mouse pointer to the “Styles” section of the home tab and click on the button entitled “Heading 1.” Note that your highlighted heading should appear in a dark blue font, larger than your normal font size. While your heading is highlighted, move your mouse to the “Paragraph” section of Word and click on the button to center your heading. Repeat this process for each of your level one headings.
Move to your first level two heading and highlight it. From the “Home” tab, click on the button entitled “Heading 2.” Note that this heading should appear as a lighter blue than your heading one headings, but still larger than your normal font size. From the “Paragraph” section, click on the button to align your level two heading to the left. Repeat this process for each of your level two headings.
Identify your first level three heading. Add a period to the end of the heading and highlight the entire heading. From the “Home” tab, click on the button titled “Heading 3.” Note that the option to designate a heading as a third level heading does not appear in the “Styles” section until you have already designated a heading as a level two heading. From the “Paragraph” section, click on the button to left align your level three heading, and then click "tab" to indent this heading. Repeat this process for each of your level three headings.
Identify your first level four heading. Add a period to the end of the heading and highlight the entire heading. From the “Home” tab, click on the button titled “Heading 4.” Note that level four headings are also italicized and include a period at the end. Note that level five headings are no longer presented in bold font.
On your “Table of Contents” page, click on the “References” tab on the top part of your screen. Click on the “Table of Contents” button located in the “Table of Contents” section of this tab. Select the appropriate table for your page and click the table to create a table of contents based on your designated headings. Double-check your table, making sure each level of your headings are appropriately displayed. If you make changes to your research paper after this point, click on your table of contents and click on the “Update Table” button.