To quickly make a table of contents in Microsoft Word choose the "References" menu at the top of the window and select "Table of Contents" from the dropdown menu. Then, choose a style.

Use Word 2010's Numbering feature in tables and make it automatically number multiple table columns vertically. This way, each cell in each column will be placed under the correct number.

Wrangle unruly text into easy-to-read formats using Word 2013's improved tables features.

A monkey wrench doesn't have to bring a table of contents to a screeching halt. Knowing how this feature works goes a long way toward finding solutions.