I'm working on a large project report in Microsoft Word 2007 and have been using the document map to generate the index. I have been carefully selecting the headers that need to be added to the document map but I saved the document and opened it up today to work on it - the document map has added whatever it pleases there.

This is a temporary fix from a post that I found after extensive searching that works, but when I save and close the document and open it up again I face the same dilemma:

I have noticed that when Word stuffs up the document map after opening the file, I can undo this by using the UNDO button. Word calls it ’Autoformat’.

I have also fixed a file that has had the document map screwed permanently (i.e saved with it) by selecting all (CTRL+A),selecting the PARAGRAPH drop down menu in the HOME TAB and in the OUTLINE drop down box, selecting ’Body Text’. This removed all the problems and did not seem to affect my outline level paragraph headings.

This is also another temporary fix but I have to be on my toes not to let Word auto format at the start of the document. I also can't afford to entirely turn off auto format as I need it.

I’ve solved this problem for me.

When you open the file, a progress bar at the bottom first says Opening (ESC to Cancel) and then it says Word is formatting the document (ESC to Cancel). If I cancel the second process, TOC fine. No cancelling, TOC screwed.

Can anyone work out how to switch off the autoformatting?

This is the post in which i found for the temporary fix