WordPress tables of contents: heading structure, anchors, and mobile reading

Someone opening a site-migration tutorial may only want the section on URL redirects. Even a thorough article is hard to use if they must scroll endlessly. A table of contents lets readers see the scope first and jump to the place they need; it should reflect the logic of the article.

Using a long article with preparation, steps, checks, and FAQs as an example, this guide explains WordPress anchors and Easy Table of Contents. Clarify the sections first, then choose automatic generation or manual upkeep, and finally check the result on desktop and mobile.

Make section names answer readers' questions

Read all the subheadings on their own. A sequence such as Introduction, More Introduction, and Other Matters tells readers little. Try specific questions instead: What do I need before starting? How do I move the files? How do I check the site afterward? A table of contents should show the main reading path, not list every sentence.

Use real Heading blocks in the editor, with H2 and H3 levels matching the content hierarchy. Do not merely enlarge and bold normal paragraphs, or jump between levels to change their size. Use H2 for major steps and H3 for details within a step; let theme styles control visual size.

Give repeated FAQs or cautions a subject, such as Precautions before moving files and Precautions when changing URLs. Readers can then tell where they are when moving between the table and body. Editors and support staff can also reference a specific section later.

For a few key sections, start with manual anchors

In a Heading block's Advanced settings, enter an HTML Anchor such as prepare-files. Then add a #prepare-files link to a list or button near the start of the article to jump to that section. A link from another article uses the full page URL followed by the same fragment.

WordPress advises that anchors must be unique within a document, are case-sensitive, and cannot contain spaces. For sections likely to be linked over time, choose a short, clear name and keep it in editorial records. Changing the visible heading does not always require changing an anchor others already use.

Manual anchors work well on service pages or features with few, stable sections. When sections are added or removed, however, you must update the table yourself. Do not forget the list after creating it: click every item during review and check for missing destinations or the wrong section with a repeated name.

Generate a table with Easy Table of Contents

After enabling Easy Table of Contents, first choose which content types it supports, then choose which should receive an automatically inserted table. Support and auto-insertion are separate settings. To start, you might select ordinary posts only so a home page, checkout page, or short announcement does not acquire an unwanted table.

Choose a position and display threshold to suit the article, such as showing a table only when enough sections exist. Placing it after a short introduction lets readers first learn what the article solves. Set a clear label and heading levels; major sections and necessary subsections are usually enough, without listing every H1 through H6.

1. Enable the content types you need and test auto-insertion on a representative long article.
2. Set the position, display conditions, and included heading levels.
3. Check whether the theme or another plugin already generates a table, so the page does not show two.

Remove noise and keep the table readable

If related posts, footer, or ad headings appear in the table, investigate why those blocks are counted as article content. The plugin offers heading-exclusion settings. Its documentation lists exclusion by CSS class as a Pro feature, so check the edition before depending on that option.

Some page builders or shortcodes produce headings dynamically. The editor preview may therefore look right while the public table differs. Test the actual published layout, not only the editor sidebar. Recheck representative pages after plugin updates, especially repeated headings, collapsible content, and dynamic blocks.

Do not make the table text too small. Let long headings wrap, keep indentation understandable, and consider showing main sections first or offering an obvious expand control for a very long article. Readers must recognize that the table is interactive; collapsing it by default should not hide its purpose.

Check sticky tables and fixed headers together

Easy Table of Contents lists Fixed/Sticky TOC as a Pro feature. Before choosing a persistent table, decide whether readers really need it while scrolling. Space for a desktop sidebar does not mean a full list belongs in the corner of a phone screen; contact buttons, Cookie notices, and back-to-top controls may compete for that space.

If a fixed header covers a section heading after a jump, adjust the offset. First check whether the plugin or theme has a relevant setting. When custom CSS is needed, a maintainer can consider scroll-margin-top and verify it against the header's actual height. Do not assume one numeric value works on every device.

Smooth scrolling is a visual effect, not a substitute for reaching the right target. Test long pages and slower devices, and watch whether images loading afterward shift the destination. If animation makes reading harder, simplify it while retaining clear links and stable section positions.

Add table checks to the editing workflow

Before publication, click the first, middle, and last entries, then test every item. Use a keyboard to operate expansion controls and links and make sure focus is visible. On narrow screens, check for overflow and covered body text; rotate a phone and inspect fixed elements again.

Share a URL with an anchor fragment into a fresh signed-out window and confirm it opens at the intended section. If images or ads change page height after loading, pay particular attention to deep links opened directly. This differs from clicking the table after the page has fully loaded; keep both tests.

When updating an article, check whether a referenced section was removed, renamed, or moved, then update the table. If an anchor must change, repair related internal and support links so they do not open the page without finding the section. Maintaining the table with the content keeps saving readers time.

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