Learn how to automatically import the table of contents (TOC) from your PDFs, and how to create and update it for your flipbooks.
Table of contents
Overview
Including a table of contents in your flipbook can provide advantages, such as giving readers a clear overview of the publication's content and structure and easy navigation. In this article, we w will provide you with all the necessary information on how to import, add and edit a table of contents.
Requirements: The table of contents (TOC) is available with all paid plans.
Key benefits of using a table of contents in your flipbooks
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Better navigation and user experience: A TOC allows readers to quickly jump to specific sections or chapters, making it easier to browse through your flipbook—especially when dealing with lengthy or complex documents.
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Professional and organized presentation: Including a TOC adds structure to your flipbook, giving it a polished and professional look that can enhance the credibility of your content.
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Time-saving for readers: With a TOC, readers can easily find the information they need without scrolling through the entire flipbook, improving their overall experience.
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Automatic import from PDFs: If your uploaded PDF includes a well-formatted TOC, Flipsnack can automatically detect and import it, saving you time and ensuring consistency between your original document and the flipbook.
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Customizable and editable: You to create or edit the TOC manually, giving you the flexibility to tailor it to your specific content and audience needs.
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Easy to update when content changes: When you rearrange or edit pages in your flipbook, the TOC can be updated accordingly, making sure it always reflects the current structure of your content.
Importing TOC from PDFs
Step 1: Upload a PDF that contains a table of contents.
Important:
- It's important for the TOC to be well-formated. Here’s how to properly make a table of contents in Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat Pro. If your PDF file does not contain a table of contents or if the table of contents is not formatted properly, the Table of contents option will be disabled.
- To avoid any inconsistencies, do not export your PDF as a spread before uploading it in Flipsnack, as the TOC might not be detected.
Step 2: Go to the Customize page.
Once your PDF is uploaded, you’ll be redirected to the Customize page.
If the PDF includes a valid TOC, you’ll see it in the navigation bar of the flipbook.
How can you access the table of contents?
- by clicking the Table of contents button in the menu on the left
- by clicking the Customize button in the bottom right corner.
Creating a TOC from scratch
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In the Customize section, click on Table of contents from the left-hand menu.
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Check the box labeled Activate Table of Contents.
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Click Add new to insert a chapter or subchapter.
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Enter a name and choose the page number where it should appear.
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You can edit, reorder, or delete chapters and subchapters anytime.
Editing a TOC
Whether you've uploaded a PDF or created your publication from scratch, you can edit the table of contents from the Customize page. Below are three ways to access it:
Option 1: From the Main Dashboard
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In the Main Dashboard, select your flipbook.
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Click the Customize button.
Once you're in the Customize page, click Table of contents in the left-hand menu.
Here you can:
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Add new chapters or subchapters
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Edit names
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Assign specific page numbers
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Delete or reorder entries
Option 2: From the Details page
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In the Main Dashboard, click on a flipbook and select the Details button.
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Scroll to the Preview section on the right-hand side of the page.
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Click the Customize button located beneath the flipbook preview.
This will also take you to the Customize page where you can manage your TOC.
Option 3: From the Design Studio
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While editing in the Design Studio, look at the top right corner.
- Click the Customize preview button (either the blue icon or the arrow next to Share now).
What happens if I rearrange pages in the flipbook?
If you’ve added a chapter on page 5 and later rearrange the pages (so page 5 becomes page 3), the chapter will automatically move to page 3.
Chapters and subchapters are linked to the page itself, not the page number.
What happens if I delete a page which contains a chapter/subchapter?
The chapter or subchapter will still appear in the Table of Contents, but it won’t be linked to any page. Clicking on it won’t work.
To fix this, you can either delete the chapter/subchapter or reassign it to another page.
Next steps
Now that your Table of contents is created, you can explore:
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